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2024-12-30

2024: A Year in Review for SSL/TLS Adoption

This year has seen significant improvements in the security landscape of the web. Let’s delve into the data to see how the use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols has evolved on web servers and email servers in 2024.

: The article analyzes data from Shodan to explore how SSL/TLS protocol support has changed throughout 2024. It highlights a positive trend with a significant increase in support for the latest versions (TLS 1.3 and TLS 1.2) on web servers. Conversely, support for deprecated versions (SSLv2, SSLv3, TLS 1.0, and TLS 1.1) has either remained stagnant or slightly decreased. The analysis also briefly touches upon the improvements observed in TLS 1.3 adoption for email servers.

What Undercode Says:

The data presented in the article reveals a positive security trend. The rising adoption of TLS 1.3 and TLS 1.2 indicates a growing awareness of the importance of robust encryption protocols for securing web traffic. This shift is commendable as it strengthens the overall cybersecurity posture of the internet. It’s also worth noting the slight decrease in support for older and more vulnerable protocols like SSLv2 and SSLv3. While their complete eradication might take time, this decline is an encouraging sign.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that a considerable portion of web servers (around 22%) still rely on TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1. These protocols, while not entirely obsolete yet, are due for retirement in the near future. Continued reliance on them introduces security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. It’s recommended that server administrators prioritize migrating their servers to TLS 1.2 or preferably TLS 1.3 to ensure optimal security.

The positive advancements observed in email server security are also noteworthy. The rise of TLS 1.3 adoption on SMTP servers indicates a growing focus on securing email communication channels. This is a welcome development as email remains a prevalent attack vector for cybercriminals.

Overall, the analysis presented in the article paints an optimistic picture regarding the evolving SSL/TLS landscape. The increasing adoption of stronger encryption protocols signifies a collective effort towards a more secure web environment. However, there’s still room for improvement, particularly with regards to phasing out dated protocols. By prioritizing the implementation of best practices and staying updated with the latest security recommendations, we can collectively work towards a more secure internet infrastructure.