How does the 'Trust Server Certificate' connection string option affect SSL security in SQL Server?

The 'Trust Server Certificate' connection string option (e.g., `Encrypt=True;TrustServerCertificate=True`) allows the client to connect to SQL Server without validating the server's SSL certificate. This bypasses certificate checks, making the connection vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. While it may be useful for testing or in controlled environments, it should be avoided in production to maintain security. Use it only if absolutely necessary and with extreme caution. It is far more secure to properly configure and trust a valid certificate.