What is SSL?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and has been deprecated. Is was a protocol used to encrypt client to server traffic. For example, browsing a website or specific VPN connections. The certificate contains a private and a public key pair and also a certificate name which helps identify the server.
What is TLS?
TLS stands for Transport Layer Security and is the protocol that is now used instead of SSL. These are now the certificates that are used to secure websites showing you the padlock in your browser to show it is HTTPS.
As well as to secure websites, TLS is used for many other services to encrypt data during communications.
Why should we use HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure and is the same as HTTP but is encrypted using TLS certificates. Almost all websites are now using HTTPS which ensures the data between you and the server is encrypted which stops the data being intercepted and also helps prevent malicious servers pretending to be sites such as your bank. This is why it is important to ensure any websites that use sensitive data are protected by HTTPS.
