1)Safety and convenience: SSL creates a secure connection between a client workstation and a server, and usually requires no participation by the workstation's operator.

2)Server authenticity: SSL authenticates the server to ensure that the client is talking to the correct computer.

3)Automatic Client Authentication: A workstation operator can authenticate to an SSL-enabled server using the operator's own public key pair, if the server is set up to accept it.

4)Extensibility: SSL can use most encryption algorithms and hashing algorithms. The client and server can automatically choose the best algorithms from those they both support.