SSL vs TLS: What’s the Difference?
The term SSL certificate is widely used but technically outdated, as most modern certificates use the more secure TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol. Here's the distinction:
- SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): An older protocol for encrypting internet communications, now deprecated due to vulnerabilities.
- TLS (Transport Layer Security): The successor to SSL, offering stronger encryption and better security practices.
When people refer to an "SSL certificate," they typically mean a certificate used with TLS, but the legacy name has stuck for simplicity. So, while "SSL certificate" is the common term, it's technically accurate to call it a "TLS certificate."