Final answer:
The claim that SSL builds directly on the DES protocol and is used to secure e-mail is false; SSL uses a range of cryptographic algorithms and secures various internet connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that SSL builds on the encoding format of the Digital Encryption Standard (DES) protocol and uses digital signatures based on public-key cryptosystems to secure e-mail is false. SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer (now commonly referred to as TLS, Transport Layer Security), does use public-key encryption for establishing a secure connection, but it is not built directly on DES.
Instead, SSL/TLS can use a range of cryptographic algorithms, including but not limited to DES. DES is an older encryption standard and has been largely replaced by stronger encryption methods due to its vulnerability to brute-force attacks. Moreover, SSL/TLS provides security over internet connections for various applications, not just e-mail.