TLS (Transparent Layer Security) is a cryptographic protocol. This is used to increase the overall security of the computer networks. It is just like SSL and it is also known as the successor of the SSL. That’s why most of the people prefer it to the SSL. In computer networks, the users have to face some complex security requirements. For this reason, TLS is evolving. It is also trying to fix the cryptographic flaws into the computer networks. To increase the security of computer networks, TLS has introduced different versions over time. The first version of the TLS is known as TLS 1.0. This version of the TLS was released in 1999. This essential version of the TLS was published as RFC 2246. The first version of the TLS was similar to the SSL 3.0. The second version of the TLS is known as TLS 1.1. This essential version of the TLS was released in 2006. This essential version of the TLS was also published as RFC 4346. The third version of the TLS is known as TLS 1.2. This essential version of the TLS was released in 2008. It was published as RFC 5246. There are some differences in three versions of the TLS.
TLS 1.1 vs TLS 1.2:
It is a fact that if a company is introducing its new version, it means that it has made some changes in its new versions. Moreover, the company also tries to provide the best experience to the users in the form of its new versions. The company also tries to overcome the flaws of the previous version. Similarly, TLS has also made some changes into its new versions. The main differences between TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 are explained below;
TLS 1.1:
As we have discussed earlier that TLS 1.1 is the second version of the TLS. In its second version, TLS has introduced new features. TLS 1.1 was different from the TLS 1.0 based on the following features;
- In the TLS 1.0, TLS had introduced implicit initialization vector. In this new version of the TLS, this vector was replaced with the explicit initialization vector. The main reason behind the changing of this vector was that TLS had to protect the computer networks against the CBC attacks.
- TLS had also introduced another feature in this version to protect against the CBC attacks. For this reason, TLS had modified the padding error handling. Before this modification, it was used to detect the description failed alert. After the modification, it was able to detect the bad record mac alert.
- For the protocol parameters, TLS had introduced new registries in the TLS 1.1 version. These new registries are known as IANA registries.
- Before the introduction of this version, the computer networks were facing the problems of resumable sessions. TLS had also solved this problem in this version. For this reason, he had assured the users that a premature can’t cause the sessions to be non-resumable.
- Some additional notes were also introduced regarding the new attacks in this version of the TLS. Based on these editorial notes, lots of clarifications and editorial improvements were made.
TLS 1.2:
After the TLS 1.1 version, TLS has introduced the TLS 1.2 version. In the TLS 1.1 version, there were some security flaws. TLS has solved these security flaws in the TLS 1.2 version. That’s why this is the most used version of the TLS. TLS 1.2 version is different from the TLS 1.1 version in the following ways;
- In the TLS 1.1 version, TLS had introduced MD5/SHA-1 In this new version of the TLS, this combination has been replaced with the SHA-256. The most important benefit of this combination is that it is useful for the cypher suite specified PRFs.
- In the MD5/SHA-1 combination of the TLS 1.1, there was digitally signed element. In the new version of the TLS 1.2, it is also replaced with the single hash.
- The TLS versions can specify the accepted hash and signature algorithms. TLS has also made some improvements in its new version.
- In the TLS 1.1, there was not support of the authenticated encryption for the data modes. In this new version of the TLS, TLS has also introduced this essential element.
- In the TLS 1.2 version, TLS has also introduced some TLS extensions and cypher suites for better security.
- TLS has also tightened up this new version by keeping in mind various requirements of the users.
How TLS 1.2 Is Better As Per Security Aspects?
As we have discussed earlier that TLS is trying to provide a more secure experience to the users in the form of computer networks. That’s why it has introduced its different versions. In these versions, TLS has tried to overcome the security flaws of the previous versions. That’s why TLS 1.2 is better as per security aspects than TLS 1.1. Experts of a dissertation help firm told that TLS 1.2 is using more secure hash algorithms than TLS 1.1. In the TLS 1.2 version, you will also observe that TLS is using more secure protocols and cypher suites. If you will have to choose one of them, you should choose TLS 1.2 because it provides better security to your computer network than TLS 1.1 version.
What’s Next?
After the TLS 1.2 version, TLS is also working on the TLS 1.3 version. There is a possibility that it will be soon available in the market. For this reason, TLS will introduce lots of features into its new version. It will remove the support for the weak elliptical curves. It will also remove the support for the MD5 and SHA-224. It will also integrate the use of the session hashes. It will allow the cookies to last for a longer period. If you will have to get access to the computer networks, you will have to make use of the digital signatures. You will have to require these digital signatures even after the use of the previous configuration. TLS will introduce support for the 1-RTT handshake in its new version.