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TLS Configuration Guide

How to properly configure TLS/SSL for maximum security and performance.

Configuration

TLS Configuration Guide


Proper TLS configuration is essential for secure web communications.


Certificate Setup


1. **Obtain a certificate**: Use Let's Encrypt (free) or commercial CA

2. **Install certificate**: Configure on your web server

3. **Set up auto-renewal**: Prevent expiration issues

4. **Test installation**: Verify certificate chain


Protocol Configuration


**Minimum**: TLS 1.2

**Recommended**: TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3


Disable:

  • SSL 3.0
  • TLS 1.0
  • TLS 1.1

    • Cipher Suite Configuration


    Prioritize:

  • ECDHE key exchange
  • AES-GCM encryption
  • SHA256 or better MAC

    • Avoid:

  • RC4
  • DES/3DES
  • MD5/SHA1

    • HSTS Configuration


    Enable HSTS for all HTTPS sites:

    Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload

    Performance Optimization


  • Enable session resumption
  • Use OCSP stapling
  • Enable HTTP/2
  • Use ECDSA certificates

    • Testing


    Test your configuration with:

  • SSL Labs SSL Test
  • Security Headers analyzer
  • TLS configuration checkers

    • Common Issues


  • Expired certificates
  • Weak cipher suites
  • Deprecated protocols
  • Missing HSTS
  • Incomplete certificate chains

    • Related Guides

    Getting Started with Web SecurityComplete Guide to Security HeadersWeb Security Best Practices

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