TLS
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure communication over a computer network, such as the internet. It ensures privacy, data integrity, and authentication between two communicating applications, commonly used to secure web traffic (HTTPS), email, and other data transfers. TLS encrypts data to prevent eavesdropping and tampering, building upon its predecessor SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).
Developers should learn and use TLS whenever they need to secure network communications, such as in web applications, APIs, email servers, or VPNs, to protect sensitive data like passwords, financial information, and personal details. It is essential for compliance with security standards (e.g., GDPR, PCI-DSS) and for building trust with users by preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and data breaches. Implementing TLS is critical in modern software development to ensure end-to-end encryption in client-server interactions.