An SSL Certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and enables an encrypted connection between the web server and the user's browser. This encryption helps protect sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, from being intercepted by malicious parties during online transactions. When a website has an SSL Certificate, it displays a padlock icon in the browser's address bar, indicating that the connection is secure. Websites with SSL certificates typically use the HTTPS protocol, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, ensuring that data exchanged between the user and the site remains private and secure.