A digital certificate is essentially a secure document used for authentication, encryption, and identification purposes. It is primarily used to verify the identity of the entity that issued it, typically a website or an individual. Synonyms for digital certificate include SSL certificate, security certificate, identity certificate, trust certificate, and encryption certificate. SSL is an abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer, which is a protocol used for secure communications on the internet. A security certificate or an encryption certificate is essentially the same as a digital certificate, as they are all used to secure online transactions and communications. A trust certificate is used to establish trust between two parties, verifying the authenticity of the source and integrity of the data.