– Introduction
\nIn simple terms, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are cryptographic protocols designed to provide security over computer networks, with now TSL replacing its predecessor SSL.<\/p>\n
– What is SSL?
\nIntroduced by Netscape in 1995, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) was the cryptographic protocol to secure connections over the internet. At the core of an SSL certificate is an encryption that securely sends between the user and the host, such as the server hosting a website. This process attempts to prevent eavesdropping or tampering with data by attackers.<\/p>\n
– What is TLS?
\nTransport Layer Security (TLS) is just an updated, more secure, version of SSL. We still refer to our security certificates as SSL because it is a more commonly used term, but when you are buying SSL from Symantec you are actually buying the most up to date TLS certificates.<\/p>\n
– Encryption
\nA major element of SSL\/TLS is Encryption. Encryption makes readable information unrecognisable, and to read an encrypted file, you must possess the secret key to decrypt it. This ensures that the data isn’t compromised during transmission. SSL\/TLS uses two types of encryption: Symmetric and Asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt data. Asymmetric encryption uses public and private keys, with the one key encrypting the data, and the other key decrypting it.<\/p>\n
– Handshake Protocol
\nA ‘handshake’ is a process that begins when a client browser attempts to establish a secure connection with a web server, which is secured by an SSL\/TLS certificate. The handshake process ensures that the client and server are indeed who they claim they are. It also negotiates the encryption algorithm and cryptographic keys before the application protocol (HTTP) sends or receives data.<\/p>\n
– Why SSL\/TLS Matters
\nGiven the prevalence of online threats and cyber-attacks, security is essential for any online business or application. SSL\/TLS affects not only the security but also the SEO (Google ranks secure HTTPS sites above non-secure HTTP sites), Performance (HTTP\/2, which is fast than HTTP\/1.1, requires https), Trust, and Conversion.<\/p>\n
– SSL\/TLS Best Practices
\n1. Always use strong and secure certificates. Purchase them from reputable providers.
\n2. Regularly renew your certificates on time to avoid disruption.
\n3. Use secure and up-to-date protocols, like TLS 1.2 or 1.3. Don\u2019t use deprecated ones like SSLv3. Exploits exist for these deprecated protocols.
\n4. Use the secure renegotiation, which provides a mechanism to avoid attacks where the attacker injects plaintext into the victim’s requests\/responses.
\n5. Don\u2019t forget Certificate Revocation Lists (CRL) and Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) stapling. This feature allows the server to fetch the certificate’s revocation status and send it to the client, improving the SSL\/TLS handshake process. <\/p>\n
For reference, one can visit “A Detailed Look at RFC 8446 (a.k.a. TLS 1.3)” written by Sean Turner of IECA, Inc talks in detail about the particulars of TSL 1.3. A good comparison of SSL and TLS can be found in the article titled “TLS vs. SSL: What\u2019s the Difference?” by Stephen Cooper. Further reading can be done from the book “Bulletproof SSL and TLS: Understanding and Deploying SSL\/TLS and PKI to Secure Servers and Web Applications” by Ivan Ristic. <\/p>\n
Thanks to SSL\/TLS, online businesses can secure their transactions and build trust with their clients. Remember to stay updated on these technologies as they continue to evolve with the changing digital landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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