Security on the site is essential, not only for the sake of data protection, but also to build the authority and visibility of the site. I have previously written about the role of HTTPS encryption , without which it is difficult to talk about effective SEO, because the site is marked as unsafe. What does the TLS protocol have to do with it? How is it different from SSL? For more, see this article.
TLS – what is it?
Transport Layer Security, known as TLS, is an encryption protocol used in network communications to ensure data security and privacy. In the digital world, where data is a precious commodity, TLS encryption plays a key role in protecting information and preventing unauthorized access to it.
TLS protocol – how does it work?
TLS is an evolution of another protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, SSL is actually an older version of the protocol, similar to but different from a TLS certificate.
The TLS protocol operates on the transport layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, providing a secure connection between two systems, such as between a server and a client. This allows you to securely transmit data such as login information, credit card information, personal information and more without fear of interception by third parties.
The TLS protocol uses a process called handshake, which is a type of negotiation between two systems to establish the rules and parameters by which a secure connection will be made. As part of the process, TLS certificates are exchanged to confirm the identity of the parties and use public key technology to encrypt and decrypt communications.
TLS encryption
Encryption in TLS involves transforming the transmitted data so that only authorized parties can read it. The TLS protocol uses two types of encryption: symmetric and asymmetric. Asymmetric encryption, also known as public key encryption, is used during the handshake process to secure the exchange of symmetric keys. Then, once these keys are securely exchanged, symmetric encryption, which is faster and requires fewer resources, is used to encrypt the actual communications.
SSL vs TLS encryption differences
Although SSL and TLS are often confused, there are important differences between the two. First of all, SSL is a prototype of TLS. It offers improved, even more secure encryption mechanisms, thanks to the advancement of the handshake process. Today, the name SSL is still commonly used, although TLS encryption is appearing on more and more websites. To get users used to this change, the name SSL/TLS protocol sometimes appears.
TLS Certificate
A TLS certificate is a type of digital document that confirms the identity of a website and uses encryption technology to secure the connection. Certificates are issued by trusted certification centers that confirm the identity of a party. This way, users can be assured that they are connecting to an authentic site and not an imposter phishing site.
In summary, the TLS protocol plays a key role in ensuring network security and privacy. By using encryption, handshake process and TLS certificates, it protects our data from interception and manipulation.
