Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. It ensures that data transmitted between a client (e.g., a web browser) and a server (e.g., a website) remains private and integral. SSL establishes an encrypted connection by encrypting data before it is transmitted and decrypting it upon receipt, preventing unauthorized parties from intercepting or tampering with the data. It uses a combination of cryptographic algorithms and digital certificates to authenticate the identity of the communicating parties and to establish a secure connection.
SSL encryption refers to the process of encrypting data transmitted over a network using the SSL protocol. Encryption converts plaintext data into ciphertext, making it unreadable to anyone except those authorized to access it. SSL encryption ensures that sensitive information such as login credentials, financial transactions, and personal data remains confidential and secure during transmission over the internet. It protects against eavesdropping and interception by encrypting data at the transport layer (Layer 4) of the OSI model.
SSL is used primarily to secure communication over the internet, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data exchanged between clients and servers. It is essential for protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and interception by encrypting data transmissions and verifying the identity of communicating parties through SSL certificates. Websites and online services use SSL to secure transactions, login credentials, and personal information, thereby building trust with users and protecting their privacy.
SSL operates at the transport layer (Layer 4) of the OSI model. It establishes a secure connection between a client and a server by encrypting data transmitted over TCP/IP networks. SSL/TLS protocols provide a secure channel for data transmission, ensuring that data remains private and intact during communication between endpoints.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are cryptographic protocols used to secure communication over networks. TLS is an updated and more secure version of SSL, designed to address vulnerabilities found in earlier SSL versions. While SSL and TLS serve the same purpose of securing data transmission, TLS offers enhanced security features, stronger encryption algorithms, and improved authentication mechanisms compared to SSL. TLS has largely replaced SSL as the industry standard for secure communication, with TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 being widely adopted for securing websites, online transactions, and sensitive data transmissions over the internet.