What is TLS / SSL?
TLS (Transport Layer Security), the successor to SSL, is the cryptographic protocol that encrypts data between a client and server. It is what turns HTTP into HTTPS, protecting traffic from eavesdropping and tampering.
TLS uses certificates to prove a server’s identity and to establish an encrypted session. "SSL" is the older name still used loosely, but modern connections use TLS.
Key points
- Encrypts data in transit between client and server.
- Turns HTTP into HTTPS (default port 443).
- Uses certificates to verify a server’s identity.
- "SSL" is the legacy name; TLS is what is actually used today.
Example
https://example.com ← TLS-encrypted http://example.com ← plaintext
Common uses
- Securing all production web traffic (HTTPS)
- Encrypting API calls and form submissions
- Protecting logins and sensitive data
- Meeting security and SEO requirements