BEAST (Browser Exploit Against SSL/TLS) was a security vulnerability discovered in September 2011. This vulnerability primarily affected the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol, specifically the Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) encryption mode in conjunction with the SSLv3 and TLS 1.0 protocols.

BEAST allowed an attacker to eavesdrop on and decrypt encrypted traffic between a web browser and a server. This was achieved by exploiting a weakness in the way CBC encryption was implemented in SSL/TLS.

To protect against BEAST attacks, it was recommended to upgrade to newer versions of TLS and to use alternative encryption methods that were not vulnerable to this weakness. Many web servers and browsers also implemented patches to mitigate the impact of BEAST.

POODLE (Padding Oracle On Downgraded Legacy Encryption) was a security vulnerability in the SSLv3 (Secure Sockets Layer version 3) encryption protocol, discovered in October 2014. This vulnerability allowed an attacker to eavesdrop on and manipulate encrypted traffic between a web browser and a server. The attack exploited a weakness in the way SSLv3 processed blocks of encrypted data with padding. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could, under certain circumstances, steal sensitive information such as cookies.

Due to the severity of the vulnerability, security experts recommended disabling the use of SSLv3 and upgrading to newer and more secure encryption protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security). Many web servers and browsers removed or disabled SSLv3 support to protect against POODLE attacks.

A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet, to prevent unauthorized access to or from the internal network.

Firewalls can be implemented in various forms:

1. Network Firewall: This type of firewall is typically deployed at the perimeter of a network, such as between an organization's internal network and the internet. It examines packets of data as they pass through, filtering them based on predefined rules to allow or block traffic.

2. Host-Based Firewall: Host-based firewalls are installed on individual computers or devices to control traffic at the device level. They provide an additional layer of defense by filtering traffic based on specific rules configured for that host.

Firewalls operate based on different filtering methods:

• Packet Filtering: Packet-filtering firewalls examine packets of data as they pass through the network based on criteria such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols. They make decisions to allow or block packets based on predefined rules.

• Stateful Inspection: Stateful inspection firewalls keep track of the state of active connections and use this information to make decisions about whether to allow or block traffic. They maintain a record of the state of connections, such as TCP handshakes, and only allow traffic that corresponds to legitimate, established connections.

• Proxy Firewalls: Proxy firewalls act as intermediaries between clients and servers, intercepting and inspecting traffic before forwarding it to its destination. They can provide additional security by hiding the internal network's IP addresses and applying advanced security measures such as content filtering and application-layer inspection.

Firewalls are a fundamental component of network security and help protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, malware infections, and other cyber threats by enforcing access control policies and filtering potentially harmful traffic.

HTTPS stands for "Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure." It is an encrypted version of the HTTP protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. HTTPS establishes a secure connection between a web browser and a web server by encrypting the data during transmission.

The encryption in HTTPS is provided by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security). These protocols enable the encryption of data transmitted between the user's browser and the server, meaning that sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details are protected from potential attackers.

Some key features of HTTPS include:

1. Privacy: By encrypting the transmitted data, HTTPS offers high privacy, ensuring that confidential information is protected from prying eyes.

2. Authentication: HTTPS ensures that the user is connected to the actual server and not a fake one. This is facilitated by digital certificates issued by trusted certification authorities.

3. Integrity: HTTPS ensures the integrity of the transmitted data, ensuring that it has not been manipulated during transmission.

HTTPS is used in a variety of applications, especially in e-commerce websites, online banking, social networks, and other services where privacy and security are paramount. It has largely replaced traditional HTTP in many areas as it provides a more secure way to transmit data over the internet.

SSL stands for "Secure Sockets Layer" and is a protocol for encrypting data transmissions over the internet. It is a security protocol designed to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data exchanged between a web browser and a web server. SSL was later replaced by the improved TLS (Transport Layer Security), although the terms are often used interchangeably.

The primary goal of SSL/TLS is to protect sensitive information exchanged between a user and a website from unauthorized access. This involves encrypting the data during transmission to ensure it cannot be intercepted or manipulated by third parties.

SSL/TLS is used in various areas of the internet, particularly in secure online transactions such as online banking, shopping, and submitting confidential information through web forms. When a website uses SSL/TLS, it is often indicated by "https://" in the URL and a padlock symbol in the browser, signaling that the connection is secure.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.