TLS stands for "Transport Layer Security" and is a protocol designed to secure communication over a computer network, particularly the internet. It serves as the successor to the older Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol and is commonly used for encrypting data to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information.
Key functions of TLS include:
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Encryption: TLS encrypts the data transmission between a client and a server, making it difficult for third parties to understand or manipulate the transmitted information.
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Authentication: TLS allows for the authentication of communication partners to ensure that the client is connected to the intended server. This is often achieved through the use of digital certificates.
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Integrity Protection: TLS ensures that transmitted data has not been altered unnoticed during transmission. The application of cryptographic hash functions guarantees the integrity of the data.
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Support for Various Protocol Versions: TLS exists in different versions (TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2, TLS 1.3), with newer versions often bringing improvements in terms of security and performance.
TLS is employed in various applications, including web browsers, email clients, instant messaging applications, and many others, to ensure secure communication over the internet. For instance, when establishing a secure connection to a website (identified by "https://" instead of "http://"), TLS is likely used to encrypt the connection.
