Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) describes how to use SSL/TLS on your system.

SSL and TLS are generic terms for a set of industry standards that are used for enabling applications for secure communication sessions over an unprotected network, such as the Internet. SSL evolved into and was replaced by TLS. TLS is the more accurate term; however, SSL/TLS is used here to maintain a link to the term SSL, which remains embedded in existing application interfaces, documentation, and configuration.

The version of the SSL or TLS protocol specification identifies the relative level of security provided. There are no versions of the SSL protocol specification that should be used today. Only one version of the TLS protocol is allowed for security compliance in some industries.