In the modern world, the internet has become a fundamental part of daily life. We conduct banking transactions, shop, share personal information, and perform many other tasks online. Therefore, it is crucial that this information is secure. This is precisely where cryptography comes into play, especially SSL/TLS.
SSL, short for Secure Sockets Layer, and its successor TLS, the Transport Layer Security protocol, are cryptographic protocols that are crucial for the security and integrity of data transmitted over a network such as the internet. They ensure that the information exchanged between your browser and the server is protected from interference, manipulation, and theft. The importance of these protocols can hardly be overstated. Every time you visit a website that starts with „https“, you are using SSL/TLS. This little „s“ stands for „secure“ and means that the communication between your computer and the website is encrypted.
Another visual indicator of the use of SSL/TLS is the presence of a lock icon next to the web address in your browser’s address bar. This lock symbol indicates that the connection is secure and that the data exchanged between you and the website is encrypted and thus protected from unwanted access. SSL/TLS works with the help of certificates issued by trusted third parties, the so-called certification authorities. An SSL/TLS certificate contains the public key of the server and is signed with the server’s private key. When your browser establishes a connection to a server, it checks the server’s SSL/TLS certificate. If the certificate is valid and was issued by a trusted certification authority, a secure connection is established. It is worth noting that the process by which SSL/TLS establishes a secure connection consists of two phases: the handshake phase and the data transfer phase. In the handshake phase, a secure channel is set up using asymmetric cryptography (like RSA or Elliptic Curve Cryptography), and a common secret key is negotiated, which is used for symmetric encryption. In the data transfer phase, the actual data is transferred using symmetric encryption (like AES).
In today’s digital world, SSL/TLS are essential. They protect our credit card numbers, passwords, and personal information when we shop online, conduct banking transactions, or send emails. They enable us to use the internet safely and confidently. But security on the internet is a constant battle. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly developing new methods to bypass SSL/TLS and other security protocols. Therefore, it is crucial that we continue to focus on the development and improvement of these technologies. In summary, SSL/TLS is a vital tool in the world of digital security. They enable secure connections and ensure that our data remains protected as it travels over the internet. They are a shining example of how cryptography influences our everyday life, often without us even noticing.
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