The Secure Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) is designed to provide a secure channel between two communicating applications, in the case of HTTP between the browser (client) and the HTTPd (server). It also establishes server and optionally client identity. SSL operates by establishing an encrypted communication path between the two applications, "wrapping" the entire application protocol inside the secure link, providing complete privacy for the entire transaction. In this way security-related data such as user identification and password, as well as sensitive transaction information can be effectively protected from unauthorized access while in transit.