What Is the Difference Between SSL and SSH?

Secure Socket Layer (SSH) and Secure Shell Layer (SSL) both create a secure connection in the Internet.

SSL is a security protocol that encrypts the data transmitted between web browsers and servers. This is how it provides protection. SSL certificates are needed to apply the SSL protocol to servers. SSL is necessary for HTTPS browsing. The term SSL is a bit outdated and was updated to TSL (Transport Layer Security).

SSH is a cryptographic protocol. It protects your data when managing them remotely. So, it provides a secure connection to a server.

Key difference points:

• SSL requires port 443 while SSH uses port 22;
• SSL uses digital certificates and public key infrastructure and has only server authentification, SSH has a server verification, session key generation, client authentifictaion. Username and password are required for SSH;
• SSL secures connection between web browsers and servers, while SSH protects communication between two computers or systems managed remotely.