If you have ever visited a website that starts with "https" (instead of just "http"), then you have visited a site that uses a security protocol. SSL, or Secured Socket Layer, encrypts data so third-parties can't steal important information from you. This type of security is necessary when making sensitive transactions such as checking a bank account online. Without it, other people might be able to figure out your banking information. You can use an Internet browser to check the details of an SSL certificate and find out which version it is.
Open Internet Explorer and visit the website for which you wish to know the SSL version.
Video of the Day
Right-click on a blank section of the webpage and select "Properties" from the list.
Click on the "Certificates" button at the bottom of the page.
Select the "Details" tab. The version number should be the first value listed (for instance, "V2" or" V3" denote version 2 and 3, respectively).