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What is TLS?
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- Skip2 Networks
- Title
- Content Manager
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
TLS, or Transport Layer Security, is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. Essentially, it's the technology that powers the "S" in HTTPS, ensuring that data exchanged between a user's web browser and a website's server remains private and untampered with. When a browser initiates a connection with a server over HTTPS, TLS performs a "handshake" process. During this handshake, the client and server agree on encryption algorithms, exchange cryptographic keys, and authenticate the server's identity using digital certificates, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and verifying that you are indeed connecting to the legitimate website.
Once the TLS handshake is complete, all subsequent data transmitted during that session is encrypted, protecting sensitive information like login credentials, personal data, and financial transactions from eavesdropping or tampering. TLS has largely superseded its predecessor, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), though the term "SSL" is still commonly used interchangeably. Modern web security relies heavily on robust TLS implementations to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity of online communications, making it a critical component for secure content delivery and a trustworthy internet experience.