Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)

What Are SSL and TLS?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are cryptographic protocols that encrypt data exchanged between a client, such as a web browser, and a server, ensuring privacy and data integrity during transmission.

How TLS Works

TLS uses a process called a handshake, during which the client and server agree on encryption methods, exchange keys using asymmetric cryptography, and then switch to faster symmetric encryption for the remainder of the session.

SSL vs TLS

TLS is the modern, more secure successor to SSL. SSL is now considered outdated and vulnerable, and virtually all secure websites today use TLS, even though the term "SSL" is still commonly used informally.

Why HTTPS Matters

Websites using HTTPS have TLS encryption enabled, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and payment details from being intercepted, and helping users verify they are communicating with the legitimate website.