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SSL, TLS & HTTPS: Web security

Published on 
30/5/2024
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Amended on 
17/6/2024
Reading time: 5 min
SSL, TLS, HTTPS
Written by
Photo of Thibaut Legrand wearing a black t-shirt Digidop

Thibaut Legrand

Webflow Developer & SEO

Discover the essentials of web security with SSL, TLS and HTTPS!

Key points to remember

We live in an ultra-digitized world, and the web circulates an astronomical amount of information and data. Since the early days of the Internet, people have been trying to find security loopholes to intercept data. Today, it is essential to secure data transmission between the user's browser and the web server.

This is where the technologies Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) come into play. Understanding these technologies is essential for anyone wishing to improve the security and reliability of their website.

Key points to remember

For beginners

  • SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) :
    • Ensures a secure connection between the browser and the web server.
    • Use public and private keys to encrypt data.
  • TLS (Transport Layer Security) :
    • Successor to SSL with security and performance enhancements.
    • Used for most of today's secure communications .
  • HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) :
    • Secure version of HTTP using SSL/TLS to encrypt data.
    • Important for protecting sensitive information and boosting user confidence.

For the more experienced

  • SSL vs TLS :
    • TLS offers more advanced encryption algorithms and security features than SSL.
    • Transition from SSL to TLS recommended for optimum security.
  • Advanced TLS features :
    • Includes improved encryption algorithms and more secure handshake processes.
    • Supports persistent confidentiality, protecting past communications even if a private key is compromised.
  • SSL/TLS certificate types :
    • Domain-validated (DV), organization-validated (OV) and extended validation (EV) certificates.
    • Wildcard certificates for securing multiple sub-domains and Multi-Domain certificates for multiple domains.
  • Managing SSL/TLS certificates on Webflow :
    • Webflow automatically provides free SSL/TLS certificates.
    • Simplifies the process of generating, installing and renewing certificates.

Data transmission between a user and a web server

When you access a website, your browser (the software used to display web pages) sends a request to a web server (which stores and delivers web pages). This request asks for the information needed to display the desired page. The web server responds by sending the requested data to the browser, which then displays it to the user. This request and response process involves theexchange of sensitive data, which must be secured to prevent interception or alteration.

Server user request

What is SSL?

How SSL works

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) establishes an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data exchanged between the server and the browser remains private. SSL uses a combination of public and private keys to encrypt data, making it unreadable to anyone other than the intended recipient.

SSL history

SSL was developed by Netscape in the mid-90s to secure online transactions. The first version, SSL 2.0, was launched in 1995, but had a number of security flaws. SSL 3.0, introduced in 1996, corrected many of these problems and laid the foundations for modern encryption standards.

SSL protocol evolution

SSL protocols have evolved over time to address vulnerabilities. The most notable transition was from SSL to TLS (Transport Layer Security), which offered enhanced security and performance features. SSL is now obsolete, and most secure communications use TLS.

Understanding TLS

TLS vs SSL

Although often used interchangeably, SSL and TLS are distinct protocols. TLS is the successor to SSL, offering stronger encryption and security features. TLS 1.0 was defined in 1999 as an upgrade to SSL 3.0, and subsequent versions have continued to improve security.

TLS protocol features

TLS offers several features that make it superior to SSL, including improved encryption algorithms, more secure handshake processes, and enhanced overall security. It also supports persistent confidentiality, which ensures that even if a private key is compromised, past communications remain secure.

How TLS improves security

TLS enhances security by offeringdata integrity,authentication and encryption. It ensures that data cannot be altered in transit, verifies theidentity of communicating parties and encrypts data to protect it from eavesdropping.

HTTPS: Hypertext Transfer Protocol

Importance of HTTPS

HTTPS is an extension of HTTP, the protocol used to transfer data over the web. The "S" stands for secure, indicating that HTTPS uses SSL/TLS to encrypt data. This is crucial for protecting sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers and personal data.

How HTTPS works

When a user connects to a website using HTTPS, the browser and web server perform a handshake to establish a secure connection. This involves checking the server's SSL/TLS certificate and agreeing encryption methods. Once the connection is established, all transferred data is encrypted.

Advantages of HTTPS

Using HTTPS offers several advantages, including enhanced security, better SEO ranking and increased user confidence. Google and other search engines favor HTTPS sites in search results, and browsers display visual indicators (such as a padlock) to signal that a site is secure.

The relationship between SSL, TLS and HTTPS

SSL/TLS link

The SSL/TLS handshake is theinitial interaction between the user's browser and the web server, where they agree on encryption methods and establish a secure session. This involves several steps, including theexchange of certificates and keys.

Transition from SSL to TLS

The transition from SSL to TLS was driven by the need for more robust security protocols. Although SSL is still used informally, modern secure communications rely on TLS. Websites must use up-to-date protocols to guarantee data protection.

Role of SSL/TLS in HTTPS

SSL/TLS are fundamental to HTTPS, providing the encryption and security needed to protect data in transit. HTTPS cannot function without these protocols, making them essential for all secure web communication.

Difference between HTTP and HTTPS requests

How SSL/TLS Certificates work

SSL/TLS certificate types

SSL/TLS certificates come in several types, offering different levels of validation and security. They include domain-validated, organization-validated and extended-validation certificates, as well as Wildcard and Multi-Domain certificates.

Validated certificates by domain (DV)

DV certificates are the most basic type of SSL/TLS certificate. They only validate domain ownership and are generally issued quickly, making them ideal for small websites and blogs.

Certificates validated by organization (OV)

OV certificates offer a higher level of validation by verifying the organization's identity in addition to domain ownership. They offer greater confidence and are suitable for businesses and e-commerce sites.

Extended Validation (EV) certificates

EV certificates offer the highest level of validation, requiring thorough verification of the organization's identity. They offer the highest level of trust and are often used by financial institutions and large-scale websites.

Wildcard certificates

Wildcard certificates enable you to secure multiple sub-domains with a single certificate. This is cost-effective and practical for websites with many sub-domains.

Multi-Domain Certificates

Multi-Domain Certificates (MDCs ) enable you to secure multiple domains and sub-domains with a single certificate. They are ideal for organizations with diverse web properties.

Certification Authorities (CA)

Certification authorities are trusted entities that issue SSL/TLS certificates. They validate the identity of the certificate applicant and provide a digital certificate that can be trusted by browsers and operating systems.

Certificate validation process

The SSL/TLS certificate validation process involves verification of domain ownership and, in the case of organization-validated and extended validation certificates, the identity of the organization. This ensures that the certificate is issued to a legitimate entity, adding a layer of trust.

Importance of SSL/TLS for website security

User data protection

SSL/TLS protects user data by encrypting information transmitted between the user's browser and the web server. This prevents hackers from intercepting sensitive data such as login credentials and financial information.

Data leakage prevention

By encrypting data, SSL/TLS helps prevent data leaks, which can cause significant financial and reputational damage. Websites without SSL/TLS are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and other security threats.

Increased user confidence and SEO

SSL/TLS increases user confidence by providing a secure browsing experience. Users are more likely to trust and interact with sites using HTTPS. What's more, search engines favor HTTPS sites, leading to better SEO performance.

TLS/SSL certificate from Digidop

How Webflow manages SSL/TLS certificates

Webflow simplifies the implementation of SSL/TLS certificates for its users. When you create a site on Webflow, the platform automatically provides a free SSL/TLS certificate. This automated process ensures that all connections to your site are secure, without you having to manually configure the certificate.

Webflow SSL/TLS activation process

To activate SSL/TLS on Webflow :

  1. Go to the Webflow dashboard and select the site for which you wish to activate SSL/TLS.
  2. Enable SSL: In the project settings(Publishing > Enable SSL), you'll find an option to enable SSL. Webflow will automatically handle the rest, including certificate generation and installation.
  3. DNS configuration: Make sure your DNS settings are correct. Webflow provides detailed instructions for configuring your DNS records to ensure that your domain points correctly to their secure servers.
  4. Check configuration: Once activated, check that your site is running correctly in HTTPS. Webflow also automatically configures HTTP to HTTPS redirects to ensure that all connections are secure.
Webflow SSL/TLS activation options

Advantages of using SSL/TLS on Webflow

There are several advantages to using SSL/TLS on Webflow:

  • Simplicity: Webflow automatically manages the process of generating, installing and renewing SSL/TLS certificates, eliminating complex technical tasks.
  • Security: All connections to your site are secure, protecting user data and building trust.
  • Improved SEO: HTTPS sites are favored by search engines, which can improve your SEO ranking.
  • Compliance and trust: Using valid SSL/TLS certificates shows your users that you take security seriously, which can increase credibility and trust in your site.

Other articles on security and Webflow :

Cybersecurity in the Enterprise [Podcast]

This podcast features advice from Raphaël Walter, IT security expert at OWN.

With 10 years' experience in pentesting, Raphaël helps us to better understand :

  1. The different forms of cyberattack,
  2. Essential preventive measures,
  3. And emerging trends in security.

These tips will help all types of company to strengthen their security posture and protect their sensitive data.

FAQ about SSL/TLS

How does SSL protect data?

SSL protects data by encrypting information transmitted between a web server and a user's browser, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring data integrity.

What's the difference between SSL and TLS?

SSL is the predecessor of TLS, the latter offering enhanced security features and more powerful encryption algorithms than SSL.

Why is HTTPS important for websites?

HTTPS is important because it secures data transmission, boosts user confidence, improves SEO rankings and enables compliance with regulatory requirements.

How can I implement SSL/TLS on my website?

Implementing SSL/TLS involvesobtaining a certificate from a trustedCertification Authority (CA ), installing it on your server, and configuring your website to use HTTPS.

How does AWS Certificate Manager simplify SSL management?

AWS Certificate Manager simplifies SSL management by automating the issuance, renewal and deployment of SSL/TLS certificates, reducing manual effort and guaranteeing ongoing security.

Conclusion

SSL, TLS and HTTPS are essential for the security of modern websites, providing the necessary encryption and protection for data transmitted over the Internet. Thanks to Webflow,implementing these technologies becomes simple and accessible, enabling site owners to guarantee the security of their users while reaping the benefits in terms of SEO and trust.

Sources :

Flomodia by Digidop
Coudac project by Digidop
project Heka by DigidopFlaw by project DigidopMorfo project by Digidop