How to Test TLS 1.2 with OpenSSL and Certificates

SSL certificates are often referred to as TLS certificates, despite being two distinct concepts. Linux users can easily identify the TLS version by running specific commands. One of the most effective ways is through OpenSSL. In this article, we will demonstrate how to test TLS 1.2 using OpenSSL on both Windows and Linux.

Verifying the TLS version used by your system is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that you are utilizing the latest security improvements available in the protocol. Secondly, some older versions of TLS are known to be vulnerable to attacks, making them less secure.

To begin with, it is essential to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version of the protocol. This can be achieved by checking your system's TLS version. There are two primary reasons why verifying the TLS version is important: stronger encryption algorithms and improved authentication and integrity checking.

TLS works in a similar manner to SSL, encrypting data transfer and information to ensure secure communication. The main difference between the two lies in their encryption algorithms, with TLS providing more robust protection. Authentication was not mandatory in SSL 2.0 and weak in SSL 3.0, prompting the IETF to deprecate SSL in 2015 and replace it with TLS.

In addition to protecting data, TLS also safeguards the identities of communicating parties. It does this by encrypting network connection segments above the Transport Layer using symmetric cryptography for privacy and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for authentication. Many websites employ TLS to secure all communications between their servers and web browsers.

In summary, TLS and SSL are cryptographic protocols designed to provide communication security over a computer network. They use encryption to protect data transfer and information, making them essential for securing online transactions such as payments. By testing TLS 1.2 with OpenSSL and certificates, you can ensure that your system is utilizing the latest security features available.

Testing TLS 1.2 with OpenSSL

To test TLS 1.2 using OpenSSL, follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal or command prompt on your Windows or Linux system.

2. Type the following command: `openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 -tls1_2`

3. Replace 'example.com' with the URL of the website you want to test.

4. Press Enter to execute the command.

This command will establish a connection with the specified website and display information about the TLS version used, including the certificate details. If the website is using TLS 1.2, you should see the following output:

```

CONNECTED(00000003)

depth=2 C = US, O = DigiCert Inc, CN = DigiCert SHA2 Secure Server CA

verify return:1

Certificate chain

0 s:/C=US/ST=California/L=Sunnyvale/O=DigiCert Inc/CN=https://www.example.com

i:/C=US/O=DigiCert Inc/CN=DigiCert SHA2 Secure Server CA

1 s:/C=US/O=DigiCert Inc/CN=DigiCert SHA2 Secure Server CA

i:/C=US/O=DigiCert Inc/CN=DigiCert Global Root G2

```

If the output does not indicate TLS 1.2, you may need to check with your website administrator or IT department to determine why this is the case.

In conclusion, testing TLS 1.2 with OpenSSL and certificates is a straightforward process that can be accomplished on both Windows and Linux systems. By following these steps, you can ensure that your system is utilizing the latest security features available in the protocol. Remember to always prioritize security when communicating online, as it is essential for protecting sensitive data and identities.

Openssl test tls 1.2 with cert