SSL/TLS certificate validation is a process that verifies the authenticity and validity of SSL/TLS certificates used by websites or other online services. It is an essential part of securing users’ online activities and protecting them from potential security threats.
The process of SSL/TLS certificate validation involves the following steps:
1. SSL/TLS certificate issuance: A certificate authority (CA) issues SSL/TLS certificates to website owners after verifying their domain ownership, identity, and other details.
1. SSL/TLS certificate installation: After receiving the SSL/TLS certificate, the website owner installs it on their server.
1. User’s browser request: When a user accesses the website over HTTPS, their browser sends a request to the server, requesting the SSL/TLS certificate.
1. SSL/TLS certificate presentation: The server responds to the browser request by presenting its SSL/TLS certificate.
1. SSL/TLS certificate verification: The browser verifies the SSL/TLS certificate presented by the server by performing the following checks:
- Certificate chain validation: The browser checks whether the SSL/TLS certificate presented by the server is issued by a trusted CA and whether the CA’s digital signature on the certificate is valid.
- Check for revocation: The browser also checks whether the SSL/TLS certificate is still valid and has not been revoked by the CA before its expiration date.
- Check for domain name: The browser checks whether the domain name on the SSL/TLS certificate matches the actual domain name of the website.
1. SSL/TLS connection establishment: Once the browser validates the SSL/TLS certificate, it establishes a secure SSL/TLS connection with the website’s server.
Overall, SSL/TLS certificate validation is critical because it ensures that users are connecting to a legitimate website and not a fake one that could cause harm to their online security and privacy.
