Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of SSL certificates?

SSL certificates are essential for providing security and trust in online communications. They enhance customer trust by indicating that a website is safe to use, as seen by the presence of "https" in the URL and a padlock symbol in the browser address bar. They also enable secure online transactions by encrypting the data exchanged between the server and the user's browser, ensuring that sensitive information, such as credit card details, is transmitted securely.

Moreover, SSL certificates indeed encrypt the communication between the server and clients, protecting data from being intercepted by unauthorized parties.

However, not all servers require SSL certificates. The necessity of an SSL certificate depends on the specific use case of the server and whether it handles sensitive information. For instance, servers that do not process any personal data or financial transactions may operate without an SSL certificate, making it clear that this is not a blanket requirement for all servers. This understanding of SSL certificates' role clarifies that while they are critical for security in many scenarios, they are not universally mandated.