In web security, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) work together to protect online communications. While SSL is an older, deprecated protocol, the term is still widely used to refer to the technology, of which has since evolved into the more secure TLS. HTTPS is the application this underlying security protocol to the standard web communication protocol, HTTP. 

SSL and TLS: The foundational encryption protocols

The original Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol was developed by Netscape in 1995 to encrypt internet communications and ensure data integrity. However, SSL has since been retired due to critical vulnerabilities. 

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the modern, more secure standard that replaced SSL in 1999. Any website that claims to use SSL today is almost certainly using TLS. TLS secures web traffic through three primary mechanisms: 

• Encryption: It scrambles the data sent between a user's browser and a server to prevent unauthorized parties from reading it.
• Authentication: It uses a digital certificate to verify that the server is legitimate and not an imposter.
• Data integrity: It ensures that the transmitted data has not been altered or tampered with. 

HTTPS: The secure delivery protocol

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is not a separate protocol but rather the standard HTTP protocol with an added layer of TLS/SSL security. It is responsible for making sure the encrypted data from the TLS protocol gets delivered correctly. 

When you visit a website, the URL will begin with https:// instead of http://, and you will see a padlock icon in your browser's address bar. This indicates that the connection is secure and your data is protected.

Why transport security matters

Using HTTPS with a valid TLS certificate is no longer optional; it's a fundamental requirement for modern digital business. 

Protects against data interception

Without encryption, data is sent in plaintext, which is vulnerable to interception via "man-in-the-middle" attacks. By scrambling the data, HTTPS makes it unreadable to anyone who might try to steal sensitive information like: 

• Login credentials
• Credit card numbers
• Personal identity information 

Builds trust and credibility

A prominent "Not Secure" warning in the browser can signal that a website is untrustworthy, driving potential customers away. Conversely, the padlock icon reassures visitors that their data is safe, which is especially important for e-commerce sites and online banking.