What Is SSL/TLS?
Cryptographic protocols that provide encrypted communication between a client (browser) and server. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the predecessor to TLS (Transport Layer Security). TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are the current standards. These protocols ensure data transmitted between users and your application cannot be intercepted or modified.
In Laravel Applications
Laravel applications should enforce HTTPS in production using URL::forceScheme("https") and the HSTS header. Your SSL certificate should cover all subdomains and use TLS 1.2 or higher. Check certificate expiration dates regularly to avoid outages.
Example
An expired SSL certificate causes browsers to show a security warning, driving users away. Continuous monitoring can alert you days before expiration.
Related Terms
HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
A security header that tells browsers to only connect to your website over HTTPS. Once a browser receives the HSTS header, it will automatically convert all future HTTP requests to HTTPS for the specified duration, preventing protocol downgrade attacks and cookie hijacking.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM)
An attack where an adversary secretly intercepts and potentially modifies communication between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other. The attacker can read, inject, or alter data in transit.
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