Final Answer:
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) operates at the transport layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, running atop protocols such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) within the internet's application layer.
Step-by-step explanation:
SSL functions within the transport layer (Layer 4) of the OSI model, establishing secure communication channels between a client and server. Operating above protocols like TCP and UDP, it ensures encrypted data transfer and secure connections for various applications such as web browsing, email, and file transfer.
TCP provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data, while UDP is used for more time-sensitive applications.
Atop the application layer of the OSI model, SSL ensures security for various internet-based services. It works in conjunction with higher-layer protocols like HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for secure web browsing.
SSL encrypts the data transmitted between a web server and a client's browser, safeguarding sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, and financial details.
Essentially, SSL acts as a protective layer, enhancing the security of communication over the internet. It functions atop TCP or UDP, providing encrypted and authenticated connections, crucial for maintaining confidentiality and integrity across diverse online transactions and communications.