Publicly Trusted SSL Explained: And Why We Talk About TLS vs SSL

Navigating the world of website security often involves terms like SSL, TLS, and HTTPS. Central to enabling secure connections (that browser padlock!) is the concept of a Publicly Trusted SSL certificate. But wait, haven’t you also heard about TLS? What’s the difference in the TLS vs SSL debate, and how does it relate to getting a certificate that browsers actually trust?

Understanding both public trust and the evolution from SSL to TLS is crucial. It clarifies why you need a specific type of certificate and what security protocol it actually enables. Let’s break down what makes a certificate publicly trusted and settle the TLS vs SSL terminology confusion.

Key Takeaways

• Public Trust: A Publicly Trusted SSL certificate is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) recognized by major browsers and operating systems via their built-in “root stores.” This prevents browser security warnings.
• SSL is Old: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the original encryption protocol. Its older versions (SSL 2.0, 3.0) are insecure and deprecated. ^^[NIST advises against using any version of SSL, recommending TLS 1.2 or 1.3.]^^
• TLS is Current: Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the modern, secure successor to SSL. Current secure standards are TLS 1.2 and especially TLS 1.3. ^^[RFC 8446 defines TLS 1.3.]^^
• TLS vs SSL Reality: While we often call the certificates “SSL certificates” due to historical reasons and widespread use, the protocol they facilitate on modern, secure servers is actually TLS.
• The Certificate’s Role: The certificate itself (an X.509 certificate) contains the public key and verified identity information. It enables the secure TLS handshake.
• Requirement: You need a Publicly Trusted SSL certificate to allow browsers to establish secure TLS connections without errors.

Part 1: What Makes an SSL Certificate “Publicly Trusted”?

Public trust isn’t something a certificate inherently possesses; it’s granted by the ecosystem of browsers and operating systems.

• Certificate Authorities (CAs): Trustworthy organizations (like DigiCert, Sectigo, GlobalSign, Let’s Encrypt) that issue digital certificates. They must follow strict validation rules and undergo regular audits.
• Root Stores: Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and Operating Systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) maintain lists of Root CA certificates they inherently trust. These are called root stores or trust stores.
• Chain of Trust: Your website’s SSL certificate is signed by an Intermediate CA, which is signed by a Root CA whose certificate is in the root store. Browsers verify this chain.
• The Result: If the chain leads back to a trusted root in the browser’s store, the certificate is deemed Publicly Trusted SSL. This allows the browser to establish an HTTPS connection using TLS without showing scary warnings like “Your connection is not private.”

Why is Public Trust Essential?

• Avoids Browser Warnings: Prevents errors that drive users away.
• Enables Secure HTTPS/TLS: Protects data in transit.
• Builds User Confidence: The padlock icon signals safety.
• Boosts SEO: Google uses HTTPS as a positive ranking signal. ^^[Google has used HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014.]^^

Without public trust (e.g., using a self-signed certificate), browsers have no way to verify the certificate’s authenticity against a recognized anchor, leading to security alerts.

Part 2: Demystifying TLS vs SSL

This is a common point of confusion, largely due to naming conventions sticking around.

The History: From SSL to TLS

1. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Developed by Netscape in the mid-1990s.
   • SSL 1.0: Never publicly released.
   • SSL 2.0: Had significant flaws.
   • SSL 3.0: Released in 1996, an improvement but later found to have critical vulnerabilities (like the POODLE attack).
   • Status: All versions of SSL are now considered insecure and are officially deprecated by standards bodies like the IETF and NIST. Modern browsers will block connections trying to use SSL.
2. TLS (Transport Layer Security): Developed by the IETF as the successor to SSL.
   • TLS 1.0 (1999): An upgrade from SSL 3.0. Now considered insecure.
   • TLS 1.1 (2006): Minor improvements. Also considered insecure.
   • TLS 1.2 (2008): Major security enhancements. Still widely used and considered the minimum secure standard for many.
   • TLS 1.3 (2018): The latest standard, offering faster handshakes and improved security by removing older, weaker cryptographic options. This is the recommended standard.

Key Differences and Why TLS is Better

TLS isn’t just a new name; it incorporates significant cryptographic improvements over SSL:

• Stronger Algorithms: TLS protocols (especially 1.2 and 1.3) support more robust encryption algorithms and hashing functions.
• Improved Handshake: The process of establishing a secure connection is more efficient and secure in TLS, particularly in TLS 1.3.
• Vulnerability Fixes: TLS addresses known vulnerabilities present in SSL protocols.

Why Do We Still Call Them “SSL Certificates”?

Despite the fact that modern secure connections use TLS, the term “SSL certificate” persists for several reasons:

• Historical Momentum: “SSL” became the common term when the technology first gained traction, and it stuck.
• Marketing & Familiarity: Many users and even providers continue using the term “SSL” because it’s widely recognized.
• Technical Distinction: The certificate format (X.509) is standardized and technically distinct from the protocol (SSL or TLS) it enables. The same X.509 certificate structure is used whether the final connection negotiates SSL (which it shouldn’t anymore) or TLS.

Think of it this way: You buy an “SSL certificate,” but you configure your server to use the TLS protocol with that certificate.

Public Trust + Modern Protocols = Secure Web

To achieve true website security recognized by browsers and trusted by users, you need both elements:

1. A Publicly Trusted SSL certificate obtained from a recognized CA.
2. A web server configured to use modern, secure TLS protocols (TLS 1.2 minimum, TLS 1.3 recommended) and strong cipher suites, disabling outdated SSL and early TLS versions.

Having one without the other is insufficient. A publicly trusted certificate used with an outdated SSL 3.0 configuration is still insecure. A self-signed certificate trying to use TLS 1.3 will still generate browser warnings because it lacks public trust.

Wrapping It Up

Understanding the distinction between TLS vs SSL clarifies that TLS is the secure protocol your server should be using today. SSL is legacy technology and insecure. However, the certificates that enable this security are still commonly referred to as “SSL certificates.”

Crucially, for that certificate to work seamlessly in browsers and build user trust, it must be a Publicly Trusted SSL certificate, meaning it chains back to a root CA recognized by browsers and operating systems. This combination ensures both validated identity and secure data encryption using the modern TLS protocol.

Secure your site with confidence. Choose Publicly Trusted SSL certificates from SSLRepo to enable robust TLS encryption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is TLS just a newer version of SSL?
A: Essentially, yes. TLS (Transport Layer Security) was developed by the IETF as the direct, more secure successor to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). All SSL versions are now deprecated due to security vulnerabilities.

Q2: Do I need to buy a “TLS certificate” instead of an “SSL certificate”?
A: No, they refer to the same type of digital certificate (X.509). The industry still commonly uses the term “SSL certificate” even though the certificate facilitates modern TLS connections. When you buy an “SSL certificate” from a reputable source, you are getting a certificate capable of securing connections via the TLS protocol.

Q3: If I have a Publicly Trusted SSL certificate, is my connection automatically secure?
A: The certificate provides the potential for security and establishes trust. However, actual connection security also depends on your server configuration – specifically, which versions of TLS are enabled (TLS 1.2/1.3 should be) and which cipher suites are used. Outdated protocols (SSLv3, TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1) must be disabled.

Q4: Why do browsers block connections using older SSL/TLS versions?
A: Because known critical security vulnerabilities exist in SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, and TLS 1.1 that can allow attackers to decrypt sensitive information or hijack sessions. Blocking them protects users.

Q5: Does SSLRepo sell “SSL certificates” or “TLS certificates”?
A: SSLRepo sells industry-standard X.509 certificates, commonly referred to as “SSL certificates.” These certificates fully support and are intended for use with modern, secure TLS protocols (TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3) when configured correctly on your web server.