SSL/TLS Security and Implementation

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its modern, more secure successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), are cryptographic protocols designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. By establishing an encrypted link between a client and a server, such as a web browser and a website, TLS ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data in transit, preventing eavesdropping and tampering. The implementation process involves configuring a server with a digital certificate to authenticate its identity, negotiating a secure "handshake" to agree upon encryption parameters, and managing cipher suites to protect against known vulnerabilities, forming the foundational technology behind secure web browsing (HTTPS) and other protected network communications.