TLS/SSL vs. HTTPS: Unraveling the Web’s Security Protocols

In today’s digital age, online security is paramount. The rise of cyber threats and the importance of safeguarding sensitive information have led to the development of robust security protocols. Two of the most fundamental web security components are TLS/SSL and HTTPS. These acronyms may seem like alphabet soup, but they are crucial in ensuring your online interactions are safe and secure. In this blog, we’ll dive into TLS/SSL vs. HTTPS, exploring their similarities, differences, advantages, and history and ultimately providing recommendations for safe web browsing.

A Brief History

Before we delve into the technicalities, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to understand how TLS/SSL and HTTPS existed.

TLS/SSL: A Secure Foundation

TLS (Transport Layer Security) and its predecessor, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), are cryptographic protocols designed to secure data transmission over a network like the Internet. The SSL protocol was developed by Netscape in the mid-1990s, aiming to provide a secure way for websites to transmit sensitive information, such as credit card details, over the web.

Initially, SSL was proprietary and not widely adopted. However, it paved the way for the development of TLS, which was standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in 1999 as TLS 1.0. Since then, TLS has seen multiple iterations, each offering enhanced security features and performance improvements. Currently, TLS version 1.3 is being used.

To learn more about this topic, visit Encryption Consulting