SSH vs SSL : here we are exploring similarities and differences between SSH vs TLS/SSL protocols.
SSH and SSL/TLS are employing Asymmetric cryptography. These security protocols are intended to keep your personal information private during data transmission and secure communication over the Internet and public networks.
SSH (Secure Shell) and SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/ Transport Layer Security) are very similar as compare of security aspects – encryption, authentication and integrity processes. But when you are hunting for SSH vs SSL/TLS, here we are exploring similarities and differences between SSH vs SSL/TLS protocols.
What is SSH?
Secure shell, more commonly known as SSH, is a way to securely communicate with a remote computer. SSH is used for executing commands remotely by interacting with another system’s operating shell. Originally created for UNIX-based computers, SSH is now easily available on Windows.
You will notice that SSH runs on TCP port 22. Other login methods in Putty — telnet and Rlogin, for instance — don’t have the security that SSH does. The SSH protocol was created to replace insecure protocols for remote connections. SSH is a cryptographic protocol that creates a tunnel between two remote computers. Once the tunnel is established, the remote system shell is visible, and shell commands can be securely transmitted across the connection. Here is an illustration of an SSH handshake:
What is SSL/TLS?
We combine these two protocols as one because they do much the same thing. Both are still used, but TLS is gradually replacing SSL in network implementations. Like SSH, these are both cryptographic protocols. But the setup is different. An SSL/TLS connection uses the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates to provide security and integrity to website transactions.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are mechanisms for securing websites. While SSL 2.0 and 3.0 are obsolete version, they have been deprecated by IETF in favor of TLS (Some have suggested that TLS is an upgraded version of SSL 3.0). The difference is that TLS is more robust and secure against modern threats and vulnerabilities. If we look at TLS versions, then TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are recent versions that are adopted by major browser authorities. TLS 1.2 supports advanced encryption like ECC and AEAD cipher blocks while TLS 1.3 adds features of TLS 1.2 as well provides downgrade attack prevention.
SSL and TLS are handshake protocols. They are part of a server/client architecture that involves requests and responses to negotiate a connection between two computers. Here is an illustration of a TLS 1.3 handshake:
SSL and TLS use digital signatures generated by Certificate Authorities to enable a trust relationship between users and providers. Once the connection is established, it becomes possible to securely transmit sensitive information, such as might be passed between a bank and its customers. The standard TCP port used for Hypertext Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS (HTTPS) is port 443.
SSH vs SSL/TLS – Differences Between both Security Protocols
SSH and SSL/TLS generally have different purposes. SSH is often used by network administrators for tasks that a normal internet user would never have to deal with. SSL/TLS, on the other hand, is used by the average internet user all the time. Any time someone uses a website with a URL that starts with HTTPS, he is on a site with SSL/TLS.
SSH
(Secure Shell) | SSL/TLS
(Secure Socket Layer/Transport Socket Layer) |
|---|
| SSH runs on port 22 | SSL runs on port 443 |
| SSH is for securely executing commands on a server. | SSL is used for securely communicating personal information. |
| SSH uses a username/password authentication system to establish a secure connection. | SSL normally uses X.509 digital certificates for server and client authentication. |
| SSH is working based on network tunnels. | SSL is working based on digital certificates. |
| SSH is a remote protocol | SSL is a security protocol |
| It is used to reduce security threats for remote server login | It allows secure transition of data between a server and the browser thus, keeps information intact. |
| SSH follows authentication process by server’s verification done by client, session key generation, and client’s authentication | SSL follows authentication process by exchange of digital certificate |
| Data integrity is measured with algorithms like SHA, SHA-2, SHA-256 | Data integrity is measured with the message digest and added to encrypted data before the data is sent. |
Similarities Between SSH and SSL/TLS
It’s understandable that someone might get SSH and SSL confused, since both are three-digit abbreviations that start with the same letter. But there are other similarities. First, these are both (and all three) protocols that are used in secure connections. Both use encryption to protect data that passes between two network devices.
The purpose of both types of protocols is to create a reliable connection. Without these two mechanisms, we would not have the security necessary to conduct business on the internet that we have today.
Conclusion
While there are other applications for these protocols, the basic differences are clear. SSH is generally a tool for technicians, and SSL/TLS is a mechanism for securing websites that is transparent to the user. Of course, these two are not mutually exclusive. SSH may use SSL/TLS as part of its secure solution. There are a variety of possible implementations for these versatile protocols. They are necessary these days with all the online threats that we face. It’s another reminder that we all need to be careful and vigilant when using online resources.
FAQs
With SSL, website users don't have to authenticate themselves to the web server. Authentication Methods: SSH supports various authentication methods, including passwords, SSH keys, and SSH certificates, whereas SSL/TLS relies only on the digital certificate that is issued by a trusted CA for authentication.
What is the difference between SSL and TLS and SSH? ›
While there are other applications for these protocols, the basic differences are clear. SSH is generally a tool for technicians, and SSL/TLS is a mechanism for securing websites that is transparent to the user. Of course, these two are not mutually exclusive. SSH may use SSL/TLS as part of its secure solution.
What are the similarities and differences between SSL and TLS? ›
However, SSL is an older technology that contains some security flaws. Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the upgraded version of SSL that fixes existing SSL vulnerabilities. TLS authenticates more efficiently and continues to support encrypted communication channels.
What is the difference between SSH and HTTPS? ›
Use SSH as a more secure option and HTTPS for basic, password-based Git usage. Since SSH is more secure than entering credentials over HTTPS, it is recommended for businesses dealing with sensitive and critical data. Once you generate the SSH keys, only the machines with the key file on disk can access the repository.
What is the difference between SSL tunnel and SSH tunnel? ›
An SSH tunnel uses public key authentication or password authentication for access control. In comparison, an SSL uses digital certificates from trusted third-party certificate authorities to verify server identity and client authenticity.
What is common between SSH and SSL? ›
SSH, or Secure Shell, is similar to SSL in that they're both PKI based and both form encrypted communication tunnels. But whereas SSL is designed for the transmission of information, SSH is designed to execute commands. You generally see SSH when you want to log in to some part of a network remotely.
What are the differences between TLS and SSL? ›
Message Authentication
SSL uses the MD5 algorithm, while TLS uses the SHA-256 algorithm. The difference between the algorithms is that MD5 is vulnerable to collision attacks, while SHA-256 is not.
What are SSL and TLS used for? ›
SSL/TLS stands for secure sockets layer and transport layer security. It is a protocol or communication rule that allows computer systems to talk to each other on the internet safely. SSL/TLS certificates allow web browsers to identify and establish encrypted network connections to web sites using the SSL/TLS protocol.
What are two major differences between SSL and set? ›
SSL encrypts the communication channel between the cardholder and the merchant website and is not backed by any financial institution. As a result, SSL is unable to ensure the security of a transaction. SET was created with the sole purpose of securing and ultimately guaranteeing a payment transaction.
What is the difference between TLS and AT TLS? ›
Application Transparent Transport Layer Security (AT-TLS) creates a secure session on behalf of an application. Instead of implementing TLS in every application that requires a secure connection, AT-TLS provides encryption and decryption of data based on policy statements that are coded in the Policy Agent.
SSH protects against DNS spoofing, data manipulation, IP source routing, data sniffing during transmission etc. SSL protect against identity theft and man-in-the-middle (MiTM) attacks.
Which is more secure SSH or SSL? ›
For one reason why SSH wins over SSL is the way it performs Authentication. Because of this reason when using FTP use SSH protocol (SFTP) rather then FTPS (FTP over SSL). SSH is used in corporate networks for: providing secure access for users and automated processes.
Why is SSH better than HTTPS? ›
SSH can compress and transfer data more efficiently than HTTPS, which can improve the speed and bandwidth of your git operations. In addition, SSH can use stronger encryption algorithms and key lengths than HTTPS, reducing the risk of interception or compromise of your data.
What is the difference between SSL and HTTPS? ›
What is the difference between SSL and HTTPS? HTTPS is a combination of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) with either SSL or TLS. It provides encrypted communications and a secure ID of a web server. SSL is simply a protocol that enables secure communications online.
What is SSH vs TLS vs IPsec? ›
In summary, TLS is primarily used to secure communications between applications, IPsec secures IP packets at the network layer for VPNs, and SSH provides secure remote access and file transfer capabilities at the application layer.
What are the 3 types of SSH tunneling? ›
SSH tunneling can be implemented in three ways:
- SSH Tunnel (local port forwarding)
- Reverse SSH Tunnel (remote port forwarding)
- Dynamic SSH Tunnel (dynamic port forwarding)
SSH is primarily used for secure remote access to servers and devices, while SSL is primarily used for securing web-based communications. They use different encryption algorithms, run on different port numbers, and provide different levels of authentication and implementation.
What is the difference between SSH and TLS ciphers? ›
Encryption Algorithms: SSH supports various symmetric encryption algorithms, such as AES, 3DES, and Blowfish, for encrypting data. TLS also supports multiple symmetric ciphers, like AES and ChaCha20, but has phased out weaker algorithms like 3DES in recent versions.
Does SFTP use SSH or TLS? ›
No, SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) does not use TLS (Transport Layer Security). SFTP is actually an extension of the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol and, as such, it utilizes the security mechanisms provided by SSH, which include strong encryption, authentication, and data integrity.
