Same purpose, different generations
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) was developed in the 1990s. TLS (Transport Layer Security) is its successor and took over as early as TLS 1.0 in 1999. In other words: TLS is modern SSL — just under a new name.
Which versions are safe today?
- SSL 2.0 / 3.0 — obsolete and insecure. Must be disabled.
- TLS 1.0 / 1.1 — deprecated; should no longer be used.
- TLS 1.2 — still secure and widely supported.
- TLS 1.3 — the latest version: faster handshake and only modern cipher suites.
Why do we still say "SSL certificate"?
Pure habit and marketing. The certificate itself is protocol-independent — the same certificate is used whether the connection is negotiated with TLS 1.2 or 1.3. There is no separate "SSL certificate" and "TLS certificate"; it is the same object. The name "SSL" simply stuck.
What it means in practice
When you configure a server, the choice is not SSL vs TLS in the certificate, but which protocol versions and cipher suites you allow. Disable SSL and old TLS, keep TLS 1.2 and 1.3. And whatever the version: keep track of when the certificates expire.
How CertControl helps
CertControl monitors your TLS configuration and certificates: weak protocol versions, upcoming expiry and unexpected certificates are caught before they become an incident.
Frequently asked questions
Is TLS better than SSL?
Yes. SSL is obsolete and insecure and should be fully disabled. TLS 1.2 and especially TLS 1.3 are the secure, current versions.
Should I use an SSL or a TLS certificate?
It is the same certificate. The name is historical; the certificate works with all modern TLS versions.
Which TLS version should I use?
Allow TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3, and disable SSL 2/3 as well as TLS 1.0/1.1.