Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What technology creates a secure connection from a web browser to a web server over a VPN?

1. IPsec

2. Layer 2 Forwarding

3. Secure Socket Layer

4. TLS Protocol

The correct answer is: Secure Socket Layer

The correct answer is the Secure Socket Layer (SSL). This technology is specifically designed to establish a secure and encrypted connection between a web browser (the client) and a web server. SSL works by using cryptographic protocols to ensure confidentiality, data integrity, and authentication of the communicating parties. Although SSL has largely been succeeded by Transport Layer Security (TLS), the fundamental concept behind both technologies aims to secure web traffic, ensuring that sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data can be transmitted securely over the internet. SSL operates at the transport layer and is commonly used in HTTPS (HTTP Secure), providing a layer of security on the standard HTTP protocol. This not only encrypts the data being exchanged but also helps in preventing eavesdropping, tampering, and forgery of information during transmission. Understanding SSL is critical for recognizing how secure transactions are handled online, especially in scenarios where personal and financial data is exchanged. This knowledge supports the broader understanding of protocols used to ensure secure communications over potentially insecure networks.