Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a standard security protocol for establishing a secure connection between a web server and a web browser in an online communication. This encryption ensures that all data transferred between the server and the browser remains private and secure. SSL uses cryptographic algorithms to encrypt data during transmission, preventing unauthorized parties from intercepting with the information.
Difference between SSL & TLS
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are both cryptographic protocols designed
to provide secure communication over a network. SSL was developed by Netscape Communications in
the 1990s whereas TLS was developed as an open standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
in response to security vulnerabilities found in SSL.
Here are some key differences between them:
Handshake Process:
The handshake process in TLS and SSL is although similar but TLS handshake includes more options for cipher suite negotiation. It supports more secure key exchange methods like Diffie-Hellman.
Compatibility:
TLS is designed to be backward compatible with SSL to ensure that older systems can still
communicate securely. However, newer TLS implementations might not always support SSL due to security concerns and vulnerabilities in older SSL versions.
Security Improvements:
TLS includes security enhancements over SSL, addressing vulnerabilities found in SSL versions. TLS has dropped support for weak cryptographic algorithms and introduced stronger ones.
Usage:
TLS is more widely adopted than SSL due to its improved security features and resistance to
known vulnerabilities.
SSL usage has declined over the years, and many websites and services have moved to TLS.SSL USAGE OVER TLS
Although there are no significant advantages of SSL over TLS. In fact, TLS (Transport Layer Security) was
developed as an upgrade to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to address its security limitations. However, some of few reasons where SSL might have been preferred:
Early Adoption:
When SSL was first introduced, it was the pioneering technology for securing internet communication.
At that time, there was no TLS. Therefore, SSL was the de facto standard for providing encryption and
security.
Legacy Systems:
Many older systems, devices, and applications were built using SSL and may not have been updated to
support TLS. These systems might still rely on SSL for encryption and secure communication.
Familiarity:
SSL has been around longer than TLS, so some people might still prefer SSL instead of TLS due to its
familiarity.
Local Networks:
In some closed or local networks, SSL might still be used for internal communication where security
requirements are lower, and backward compatibility is more important than advanced security features.
Cost and Effort:
Upgrading systems to support TLS can require time, effort, and resources. In some cases, organizations
may prioritize other projects over upgrading their SSL-based systems.
Limited Security Requirements:
For some applications or services where security requirements are minimal, SSL might still be deemed
sufficient. While not as secure as TLS, SSL can still provide basic encryption and integrity for data in
transit.
WHEN AND WHY SSL/TLS SHOULD BE USED?
SSL should be used whenever you need to secure communication over the internet or any network,
especially when transmitting sensitive information. It provides encryption, authentication, and integrity,
ensuring that the data remains confidential during transmission.
However, in practical terms, TLS is superior to SSL in every aspect, offering better security, performance,
and features. It is recommended to upgrade your systems and applications in order to use TLS for better
security with modern standards. Therefore, it would be a good move adopting TLS over SSL whenever
possible to be on safe side.
Most of the systems and browsers today have stopped supporting SSL and have moved to TLS v1.1 and above.