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Glossary of terms and definitions for IT (Information Technology), the Internet and cyber security.
This glossary provides more than 480 clear and concise definitions of commonly used terms in the fields of information technology, the internet, and cyber security. It is designed to support users of all levels in understanding key concepts, technical jargon, and acronyms frequently encountered across digital platforms and security-related discussions. Whether you are a business owner, student, professional, or simply interested in the digital landscape, this resource aims to enhance your knowledge and confidence in navigating the ever-evolving world of technology.
TLS (Transport Layer Security) = A cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure and encrypted communication between two systems over a network. TLS ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and authentication during transmission, protecting it from interception, tampering, or forgery. TLS is the successor to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and offers improved security, stronger encryption algorithms, and better performance. It is widely used to secure web traffic (HTTPS), email communications, file transfers, instant messaging, and other network-based services.
Example: Websites with HTTPS use TLS to protect data during transactions, such as online banking or shopping.
See also: SSL
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) = A cryptographic protocol designed to establish a secure and encrypted connection between two systems over a network. SSL ensures that data transmitted between these systems remains confidential, authenticated, and protected from interception or tampering. While commonly associated with securing communication between web browsers and web servers (HTTPS), SSL can also secure email communications, file transfers, instant messaging, and other network services. Although SSL has been largely replaced by its successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), the term "SSL" is still widely used to refer to secure communication protocols.
Example: When you see a padlock icon in your browser's address bar, it indicates the website is using SSL/TLS encryption.
See also: TLS, SSL Certificate