Security
What is SSL?
Secure Sockets Layer — the predecessor to TLS. Used to encrypt communications between a browser and server.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) was the original protocol for encrypting web communications, developed by Netscape in 1995. It has been superseded by TLS (Transport Layer Security), but the term "SSL" persists colloquially when referring to website certificates.
SSL/TLS creates an encrypted tunnel between a browser and web server using asymmetric encryption for the initial handshake and symmetric encryption for the ongoing session. This protects data in transit from interception.
Why HTTPS Is Non-Negotiable
- Chrome marks HTTP sites as "Not Secure"
- Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal
- HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 require HTTPS
- Free certificates available via Let's Encrypt
FAQ
What is the difference between SSL and TLS?
SSL is deprecated. TLS is its modern, secure successor. TLS 1.3 is the current standard. Most people say "SSL certificate" when they mean a TLS certificate.
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