What are SSL and TLS ?

In today’s digital world, online security is more important than ever. Whether you run a website, shop online, or handle sensitive data, SSL/TLS is the technology that keeps your information safe. But what exactly is SSL/TLS? How does it work? And why is it so crucial? In this blog, we’ll break it all down in simple terms.

 

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is an encryption protocol that secures data transmitted over the internet. When you see "HTTPS" in a website’s URL, it means the site is protected by SSL.

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

TLS is the upgraded version of SSL, known as Transport Layer Security. Most modern websites use TLS, but people still commonly refer to it as SSL out of habit.

SSL vs. TLS – What’s the Difference?

·         SSL is older, while TLS is newer and more secure.

·         TLS has stronger encryption algorithms.

·         SSL 3.0 is now deprecated, while TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 are widely used today.

 

How Does SSL/TLS Work?

SSL/TLS creates a secure connection between a client (your browser) and a server (website) through a process called the handshake.

 

SSL/TLS Handshake Process (Step-by-Step)

1.      Client Hello – The browser sends a request to connect to the server.

2.      Server Hello & Certificate – The server responds with its SSL certificate, which includes a public key.

3.      Client Verification – The browser verifies the certificate (issued by a trusted Certificate Authority - CA).

4.      Session Key Generation – The client creates a secret key, encrypts it with the server’s public key, and sends it back.

5.      Secure Data Transfer – All data is now encrypted and securely transmitted.

This process ensures that hackers cannot intercept or read your data because it’s encrypted.

 

Why is SSL/TLS Important?

1. Data Security

SSL/TLS protects sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data from hackers.

2. Better SEO Rankings

Google prioritizes HTTPS websites in search rankings. If your site doesn’t have SSL, it may rank lower.

3. User Trust

When visitors see the padlock (🔒) in the browser, they know the website is secure and trustworthy.

4. PCI DSS Compliance (For E-commerce)

If you run an online store, having an SSL certificate is mandatory under PCI DSS security standards.

Types of SSL Certificates

1.      Domain Validated (DV SSL) – Basic validation, only checks domain ownership. (Fast & cheap)

2.      Organization Validated (OV SSL) – Verifies company details for higher trust.

3.      Extended Validation (EV SSL) – Most secure, shows company name in the browser.

4.      Wildcard SSL – Secures multiple subdomains under one certificate.

5.      Multi-Domain SSL (SAN SSL) – Protects multiple domains with a single certificate.

 

How to Install an SSL Certificate?

If you own a website, follow these steps to install SSL:

1.      Purchase an SSL Certificate (or get a free SSL from Let’s Encrypt).

2.      Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request).

3.      Install the Certificate (on cPanel, Apache, or Nginx).

4.      Force HTTPS Redirect (via .htaccess).

For WordPress users, plugins like Really Simple SSL make installation easy.

 

Common SSL/TLS Errors & Fixes

1.      SSL Certificate Expired – Renew the certificate.

2.      Mixed Content Error – Ensure all resources (images, scripts) load via HTTPS.

3.      SSL Handshake Failed – Update TLS version on the server.

 

SSL/TLS is a must-have for any website. If your site still runs on HTTP, switch to HTTPS today to improve security, boost SEO rankings, and gain user trust.