Encryption tab

Encryption tab

Protocols

Use SSL 3.0

Specifies whether you want to send and receive secured information through SSL3 (Secure Sockets Layer, Level 3), a standard protocol for communicating securely with web sites. Disabling it will prevent you from visiting some sites.

Use TLS 1.0

Specifies whether you want to send and receive secured information through TLS (Transport Layer Security), a security standard similar to SSL3 (Secure Sockets Layer). Disabling it will prevent you from visiting some sites.

Certificates

Certificates help perform encryption and decryption of connections to secure sites.

When a web site requires a certificate:

When a web site requests a secure connection, Firefox will by default automatically use an appropriate certificate. If you wish to manually choose a certificate (for example, if you wish to use a certain type of encryption instead of what is automatically selected), select the Option Ask me every time and you'll be in complete control of what certificates you use while browsing.

View Certificates

Click this button to view stored certificates, import new certificates, and back up or delete old certificates in Firefox.

Revocation Lists

Firefox can use Certificate Revocation Lists (also known as CRLs) to ensure that your certificates are always valid. Click the Revocation Lists button to manage the CRLs installed on your computer.

Verification

Firefox can verify the validity of your certificates using OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) every time they are viewed or used. Firefox does not use OCSP by default, but if you want to enable it, you can do so here. You will most likely only need to change this if your Internet environment requires it.

Security Devices

Security devices can encrypt and decrypt connections and store certificates and passwords. If you need to use a security device other than the one in Firefox, click the Security Devices button.