SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption works by creating a secure connection between a web server and a web browser, ensuring that data transmitted between them is encrypted and secure.
The process begins with a handshake between the server and the browser. The server sends its SSL certificate to the browser, which contains the server’s public key. The browser then verifies the certificate to ensure it is valid and that the web server is who it claims to be. If the certificate is valid, the browser generates a symmetric key that will be used to encrypt all data transmitted between them.
Once the key has been agreed upon, the browser and server begin exchanging encrypted data. Every piece of data that is transmitted between the browser and the server is encrypted using the symmetric key, which is known only to the browser and the server. This ensures that any data intercepted by a third party is incomprehensible and cannot be read.
SSL/TLS encryption also includes a process for checking the integrity of the data being transmitted. Hash functions are used to create a unique value that represents the data. This value is then encrypted and transmitted along with the data. When the data is received by the other party, the hash is checked to ensure it matches the hash of the original data, ensuring that the data has not been tampered with in transit.
Overall, SSL/TLS encryption ensures the security of data transmitted over the internet, providing a secure and encrypted connection between the web server and the web browser.
