The most recent form of Secure Socket Layer, or SSL, is called Transport Layer Security, or TLS. These protocols guarantee the privacy and validity of data transferred over the internet. Both protocols are frequently employed. By encrypting web-based communication, they offer end-to-end security. There are noticeable variances as well as many commonalities between the two.

In the qualms of TLS Vs SSL, both, the TLS and SSL provide encrypted security for your website, which is the same outcome. You’ll often hear the names used interchangeably when referring to the certificates. Technically speaking, TLS and SSL are not interchangeable. Both protocols establish an encrypted connection through a procedure known as a handshake. 

In essence, the two machines request to see each other’s IDs, and after they are validated, they can conduct business. The technological similarities stop there. Every cryptographic protocol operates differently to accomplish the same goal.

In this simple blog, we will compare TLS vs SSL and advise which option is preferable.

TLS vs SSL: What Is the Significance and Use of These Protocols?

The SSL (Secure Socket Layers) protocol dates back nearly as far as the internet. Around the same time Microsoft debuted the now-retired Internet Explorer web browser, Netscape developed it in 1995.

SSL: Facts Regarding the SSL Protocol

This cryptographic protocol aims to confirm the legitimacy of the connection before any data is transferred between the web browser and the website. Hackers cannot easily access the supplied data because it is inaccessible to third parties. However, it is noteworthy that because of security concerns, Netscape never released the initial version of SSL.

In 1995, the business released an upgraded version of SSL 2.0. Whereas in 1996, the SSL 3.0 version was made available.

The Secure Socket Layers protocol was discontinued with the release of SSL 3.0. Since 2015, all SSL versions have been deprecated.

Since then, TLS, or Transport Layer Security, is the only security standard that a website can utilize.

TLS: Facts About the TLS Protocol

TLS 1.2, released in 2008, and TLS 1.3, issued in 2018, are currently used by all websites.

When the public was first introduced to TLS 1.0 in 1999, it represented an advancement above SSL 3.0.

The TLS 1.1 update was released in 2006; nevertheless, the TLS 1.0 and 1.1 versions were rendered obsolete in 2020.

TLS Vs SSL: The complete history of SSL and TLS releases is as follows

• The security flaws in SSL 1.0 prevented it from ever being made public.
• 1995 saw the release of SSL 2.0. withdrawn in 2011. has been aware of security problems.
• 1996 saw the release of SSL 3.0. withdrawn in 2015. has been aware of security problems.
• 1999 saw the release of TLS 1.0, an update to SSL 3.0. Deprecation is scheduled for 2020.
• 2006 saw the release of TLS 1.1. Deprecation is expected in 2020.
• 2008 saw the release of TLS 1.2.
• 2018 saw the release of TLS 1.3.

TLS vs SSL: The Key Differences

The modern TLS 1.3 standard differs from SSL (and previous TLS standards) in that it uses a single handshake between points rather than multiple, reducing how someone could compromise your security. 

It also removes legacy code bloat to promote faster load times, which is essential nowadays for every website. TLS was preceded by SSL, which was initially made available in 1995. 

Since then, security flaws in all three SSL versions have been determined to be absent. The original edition was never made available to the general public. Later, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) disapproved of all SSL versions.

TLS	SSL
It is Transport Layer Security.	It is a Secure Socket Layer.
The first version of TLS was developed in 1999 by the Internet Engineering Task Force.	The first version of SSL was developed in 1995 by Netscape.
Additionally, it is a cryptographic protocol that offers implicit connections for safe communication between a web server and a client. It is the SSL protocol’s replacement.	It is a cryptographic protocol that establishes safe communication between the web server and the client by leveraging explicit connections.
As of March 2020, TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are no longer supported and have been deemed “broken.” Currently, TLS 1.2 is the most extensively used version of the protocol, with the version 1.3 launched in 2018.	Since it was discovered that all SSL versions were susceptible, they were all deprecated.

TLS and SSL Advantages

The lack of an SSL certificate may weaken a website’s authority, whereas an SSL certificate can influence search rankings, bounce rates, other metrics, and safety.

TLS Vs SSL: Metrics for websites and search engine rankings

Since 2014, Google has used SSL certificates as a ranking element; websites without certificates will not appear in its search results. Furthermore, Google flags as hazardous any website that requests credit card information or login credentials that does not have an SSL certificate.

TLS Vs SSL: Problems with Compliance

Additionally, since PCI SSC mandates that all websites processing credit card data have a valid SSL certificate, you may encounter non-compliance difficulties if you fail to install TLS protocol or utilize an expired SSL certificate on your website.

Because TLS and SSL protocols provide a website’s credibility to search engines and users, their advantages go beyond secure data transfers.

TLS Vs SSL: Safety Issues

Since a website without an SSL certificate is more vulnerable to phishing scams, data breaches, and other assaults, its search engine ranking won’t be impacted.

Is TLS or SSL Better to Use? Is TLS Taking SSL’s Place? TLS Vs SSL

Yes, SSL is being replaced with TLS. Indeed, you should replace SSL with TLS.

As you were just taught, the two public SSL releases are mainly out of date due to security flaws that are known to exist in both. Therefore, SSL is not a completely secure technology in 2019 and beyond.

The more recent SSL variant, TLS, is safe. Furthermore, newer TLS versions provide additional enhancements and performance advantages.

Not only is TLS faster and more secure, but the majority of contemporary web browsers no longer support SSL 2.0 and 3.0. For instance, most popular browsers intend to discontinue support for TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 around 2020, and Google Chrome ceased supporting SSL 3.0 in 2014.

Google began to display ERR_SSL_OBSOLETE_VERSION alerts in Chrome.

So, how can you be sure that you’re not utilizing outdated, unsafe SSL protocols and are instead utilizing the most recent TLS versions?

First, keep in mind that the protocol your server employs and your certificate are different. You do not need to update your certificate to use TLS. Although it may be labeled as an “SSL certificate,” your certificate is already compatible with TLS and SSL.

Instead, you are in charge of the server-side protocol that your website employs.

To determine which protocols are enabled for your website, utilize the SSL Labs tool.

TLS Vs SSL: How do you enable SSL and TLS on your WordPress website?

Using TLS and SSL on a WordPress website is not too difficult. As we’ve just discussed, obtaining the certificate is the first step, usually an SSL certificate. Both paid and free choices are offered. 

This implies that you can obtain a certification in a manner that best suits your needs in terms of both cost and the kind of website you manage. Your sector may demand more protection and control than what a free certificate can provide. In that scenario, you should look for a purchased SSL certificate.

Getting an SSL certificate for your WordPress website can be done in several different ways, all of which are quite simple. Obtain a free SSL certificate from a website like SSL For Free or ZeroSSL (they don’t offer comprehensive customer assistance and must be manually renewed every 90 days).

Get web hosting from a provider that offers SSL certificates as part of the hosting package; examples of such providers are Nestify, Pressable, Flywheel, and SiteGround.

Use a CDN like Cloudflare to increase the security of your website.

Use a WordPress plugin such as Simple SSL to use your SSL certificate. Ensure all links point to your HTTPS site rather than HTTP once you’ve set up the certificate. If you don’t, Google may punish you for having an unsecured website. 

By doing this, you may be sure that users won’t flag you when they try to visit your website. You can use WordPress plugins like WP Force SSL & HTTPS Redirect. 

Alternatively, you might get assistance from a developer or your web host in setting up your server correctly to redirect to HTTPS. Additionally, specific SEO and 301 redirect plugins include this feature in their settings.

Conclusion: TLS Vs SSL

When deciding between TLS and SSL certificates for WordPress, it’s unequivocally recommended to opt for TLS. TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the updated and more secure protocol succeeding SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). 

TLS provides better encryption, improved security features, and compatibility with modern web standards, making it the preferred choice for safeguarding data transmission on your WordPress website.

I hope you found this simple blog on TLS vs. SSL helpful and that by now, you know which certificate you should use. Thanks for reading!

FAQs: TLS Vs SSL

What is the core difference between TLS and SSL?

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the successor to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). While both protocols secure data transmission, TLS is more advanced and offers enhanced security features and encryption algorithms.

Is SSL still secure for WordPress websites?

While SSL was once the standard for securing web connections, it is now considered outdated. TLS is the recommended choice as it addresses vulnerabilities present in SSL and provides a more secure environment for data exchange on your WordPress site.

Do I need to purchase a separate TLS certificate for my WordPress site?

No, “TLS certificate” is often used interchangeably with “SSL certificate.” When obtaining a certificate for your WordPress site, you are essentially getting a TLS certificate, as SSL certificates are becoming obsolete.

Will using TLS affect my website’s performance on WordPress?

The impact on performance is minimal, and the security benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks. TLS is widely supported and optimized, ensuring your WordPress site remains secure without compromising speed or functionality.

Are there any compatibility issues with using TLS for WordPress?

TLS is widely supported across modern browsers and platforms. Maintaining compatibility with the latest web standards is essential. Ensure your WordPress hosting environment and server configurations support TLS to guarantee seamless integration.

Can I upgrade from SSL to TLS on my existing WordPress site?

Yes, it is possible to upgrade from SSL to TLS. This usually involves updating your server configurations and ensuring your hosting provider supports the latest TLS protocols. Consult your hosting provider or web administrator for assistance with the transition.