SSL Certificate Question

Hi gang: I wrote this Friday, but forgot to send it and don't want to wait until next Friday. So, if you ppls would be so kind as to enlighten me and before I shoot my mouth off and make a complete fool of myself, please tell me if I am wrong. I claim that a SSL Certificate is nothing more than a software instrument used by Browsers to alert users that the site they are visiting is indeed the site being reported -- IOW, the identify of the site can be trusted. I also claim that s SSL Certificate has absolutely nothing to do with actual HTTPS communication between the Browser and the Server. For example, I can use HTTPS communication by simply placing a script in a HTTPS directory or using a .htaccess directing such -- all without a SSL Certificate. Now, am I wrong? Thanks, tedd _______________ tedd sperling tedd@sperling.com