Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a protocol used to secure communication over the internet. It provides encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure that data transmitted between two parties is private and secure. TLS is widely used in many applications, including email, web browsing, instant messaging, and other online transactions.
TLS works by creating a secure communication channel between two parties using a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption. When two parties want to communicate securely, they initiate a TLS handshake, in which they exchange information and agree on a set of encryption algorithms and parameters to use during the communication session. Once the handshake is complete, the two parties can exchange data over the secure channel with the assurance that the data is protected against eavesdropping and tampering.
TLS is used to protect sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data. When a user enters sensitive information into a website or application, TLS ensures that the data is encrypted before it is transmitted over the internet. This prevents attackers from intercepting the data and stealing it for malicious purposes. TLS is also used to verify the identity of websites and servers to prevent phishing attacks and other forms of cybercrime.
TLS has evolved over the years, with new versions and improvements being introduced to address security vulnerabilities and enhance performance. The latest version of TLS is TLS 1.3, which was introduced in 2018. TLS 1.3 offers improved security and performance compared to previous versions, including faster handshakes, stronger encryption, and better resistance to attacks.
In summary, Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a protocol used to secure communication over the internet. It provides encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure that data transmitted between two parties is private and secure. TLS is used in many applications to protect sensitive information and verify the identity of websites and servers. The protocol has evolved over the years to address security vulnerabilities and enhance performance, with the latest version being TLS 1.3.