SSL/TLS

Sitecheck Team

The cryptographic protocols that secure data transmitted over the internet.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are cryptographic protocols that establish encrypted, authenticated connections between clients and servers. Modern sites use TLS 1.2 or 1.3; SSL and TLS 1.0/1.1 are deprecated.

Why it matters: Without TLS, data sent between users and your server — including passwords and payment details — can be intercepted. A valid certificate is also required for HTTPS.

Quick tips:

  • Use TLS 1.2 or 1.3 and disable older protocol versions.
  • Renew certificates before expiry — expired certificates break connections immediately.
  • Use strong cipher suites and verify configuration with a tool like SSL Labs.

See also: HTTPS, HSTS, DNSSEC.