What does TLS stand for, and what is its purpose?

TLS stands for Transport Layer Security, and its primary purpose is to provide encryption for data in transit. This means that when data is transmitted over a network, TLS ensures that the information remains confidential and secure from eavesdroppers and attackers. By encrypting the data, TLS helps to protect sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details from being intercepted during transmission over the internet.

The protocol also provides integrity to the data being transferred, assuring that it has not been altered or tampered with during transmission. Additionally, TLS includes mechanisms for authentication, ensuring that the parties involved in the communication are who they claim to be.

This robust security model makes TLS a fundamental technology used in securing web communications, such as when accessing websites via HTTPS. It reinforces trust in digital transactions and enhances overall cybersecurity by significantly reducing the risk posed by man-in-the-middle attacks and other vulnerabilities associated with data in transit.