SSL or Secure Socket Layer is a security technology that keeps websites and applications safe from potential hackers and cybercriminals.
It scrambles the data and sends it over a network in an encrypted format so that nobody can read it.
Even an SSL certificate can do wonders by saving your website or application from getting hacked.
Cybercriminals hack user data and information by sending malware and spyware into the system and cause substantial damage.
But, if you have an SSL certificate, you can be assured that nothing of this sort will happen to your website.
What is TLS?
Many people get baffled by the term TLS that comes along with SSL. Well, TLS or Transport Layer Security is an extended version of SSL.
Nowadays, when you buy an SSL certificate, TLS components and features come along with it.
TLS/SSL adds an extra layer of security to the network, making hacking extremely hard.
Most of the time, hackers get irritated by breaking the encrypted codes and eventually leaving the website or app.
TLS breaks any communication that it finds is weird. It has a reporting system that immediately reports if anything goes wrong while trying to establish a contact.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is a secure protocol that allows a safe transfer of information between a browser and a server over a secure network.
Without HTTPS, cybercriminals can easily spy on the information transferred between you and the user.
The information transferred without an HTTPS installed is in a decrypted format that makes data vulnerable to thefts.
A secure connection with HTTPS installed is always a big plus for businesses who conduct their operations online.
The “S” in HTTPS stands for secure, which can only be obtained if one has an SSL/TLS certificate installed.
Even a SSL certificate comes with an HTTPS connection.
How does SSL/TLS/ HTTPS work together?
As I have already mentioned above, HTTPS encrypts data and then sends it over a secure network, but it does so with the help of TLS, which was earlier known as SSL.
Without SSL/TLS, HTTPS cannot encrypt data and establish communication between server and client.
HTTPS secure connection through an asymmetric public key infrastructure used to encrypt data between the server and the client.
So, SSL, TLS, and HTTPS work in tandem with each other to secure the connection.
How does SSL/TLS make HTTPS secure?
SSL/TLS makes HTTPS secure in 3 easy steps, namely:
1. Establishing cipher suites
There are various methods of encryptions. Both server and client have to choose a way that both of them mutually support.
Creating cipher suites consists of finding the right capabilities that both the client and the server mutually possess so that data can be encrypted without any hindrance.
Establishing an appropriate cipher suite is extremely valuable to make sure that security cannot be breached.
After creating the cipher suite successfully, the SSL certificate is sent by the server to its client.
2. Checking the credibility of both server and client sides
Merely encrypting your data won’t do enough; you also have to figure out whether it is sent to the right website or not.
It does not matter whether you have bought a cheap SSL certificate or have heavily invested in it; what makes all the difference is whether or not it is credible.
In this step, the authenticity of the client-side security certificate is checked. It ensures that the Certificate Authority that has issued the certificate is credible.
3. Sharing session keys among each other
In the last step, symmetric keys are shared. Symmetric keys are used for both encryption and decryption.
Symmetric keys are much better for encryption than asymmetric keys and provide better security, which is why SSL/TLS certificates make use of these keys to secure HTPPS.
After the session gets completed, connections from both sides run a checksum to ensure that the session is conducted smoothly.
The checksums also check whether there was any involvement of malware of spyware during the session or not.
Since we have talked about the operational aspect of SSL/TLS and HTTPS, you must also know how it is beneficial for your website.
Benefits of SSL/TLS for your website or application
1. Data encryption
SSL/TLS works to encrypt data so that nobody can decode what is being transferred over the network.
Through Data encryption, your website/ application is protected in a way that no hacker or cybercriminal can decode it.
The only way that data can be decrypted is through its corresponding decryption key, which lies with you and no one else.
2. Helps in gaining customer trust
Whether you buy an SSL certificate or a costly one, you are protected by the best security tool.
Once your customers know that the website they are buying goods or services from is 100% safe, they tend to trust it and make repetitive purchases.
3. Helps in improving website rankings
Google advises all websites to get an SSL certificate installed to rank. This is because Google values its customer’s experience and does not want him to land on a malicious website.
SSL is a significant factor in increasing search ranks so, make sure that you are not missing out on that.
To conclude
Both SSL/TLS and HTTPS work in tandem with each other. Even a SSL certificate consists of the amalgamation of these two components.
SSL secures HTTPS by establishing cipher suits, checking its credibility, and finally, session keys are shared between the client and the server.
This security procedure makes SSL/TLS such a robust security protocol that cannot be breached.
SSL comes with many benefits, such as data encryption, customer satisfaction, and high rankings in Google’s SERP.
So, if you have a business website of your own, make sure that you have an authentic SSL/TLS certificate installed to keep it safe and secure.
If you are looking to buy a cheap certificate, visit Cheap SSL shop as they are the most authentic website to get an SSL certificate from.
