A cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network.
Description
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a widely adopted security protocol that ensures privacy and data integrity between two communicating applications. It is commonly used to secure communications over the internet, protecting sensitive data during transmission. TLS works by encrypting the data exchanged between a client and a server, which helps to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and forgery. It is the successor to the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol and is utilized in various applications, including web browsing, email, instant messaging, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). When a user visits a secure website, the URL begins with 'https://' instead of 'http://', indicating that TLS is in use. The protocol involves a handshake process that establishes a secure connection, allowing both parties to authenticate each other and negotiate encryption parameters. With the increasing threats to online security, TLS has become essential for protecting sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and personal data, when transmitted over networks.
Examples
- Online banking services like Chase and Bank of America use TLS to safeguard financial transactions.
- E-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay employ TLS to protect customer data during purchases.
Additional Information
- TLS is crucial for compliance with regulations such as GDPR and PCI DSS, which mandate the protection of personal and financial information.
- The protocol has undergone multiple revisions, with TLS 1.3 being the latest version, offering improved security and performance.