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TLS Cipher Suites
Understanding cipher suites and how to configure them for optimal security.
TLS Cipher Suites
Cipher suites determine how data is encrypted in TLS connections. Choosing the right cipher suites is essential for security and performance.
What Are Cipher Suites?
A cipher suite specifies:
Recommended Cipher Suites
**TLS 1.3**: Only secure cipher suites are available
**TLS 1.2**: Prioritize:
Avoid These Ciphers
Configuration Examples
Nginx
ssl_ciphers 'ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384';
ssl_prefer_server_ciphers on;
Apache
SSLCipherSuite ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256
SSLHonorCipherOrder on
Key Points
- •Cipher suites define encryption methods
- •TLS 1.3 only includes secure ciphers
- •Prioritize GCM cipher modes
- •Use ECDHE for key exchange
- •Test cipher configuration regularly
Best Practices
- ✓Use modern cipher suites only
- ✓Prioritize server cipher preferences
- ✓Test with SSL Labs
- ✓Monitor cipher usage
- ✓Document cipher configuration
Common Issues
- ✗Weak cipher suites enabled
- ✗Not prioritizing server preferences
- ✗Missing cipher configuration
- ✗Incompatible client support
- ✗Performance issues from weak ciphers