Original: The SSL Protocol: Version 3.0 Netscape's final SSL 3.0 draft (November 18, 1996) Description The TLS protocol allows client/server applications to communicate across a network in a way designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery.
Simplified: The TLS protocol allows applications to communicate across a network in a way designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery.