OpenSSL

Version1(as of 8/28/2014)
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux
LicenseOpen Source
CategoryInternet
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Rating:3.1  |  34 Votes

Main Features

  • Open sourced software that is available on a variety of platforms
  • Implements SSL and TLS protocols for secure data transmissions
  • Includes a library of cryptographic functions

Software Overview

OpenSSL is an open source toolkit used to implement the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols. The toolkit is free for use under the OpenSSL license and SSleay license and available for Windows, OS X, and Linux.

The OpenSSL toolkit is used by many open source systems, such as Linux variants, and the majority of web servers on the Internet, such as the Apache HTTP Server. The SSL and TLS protocols, which OpenSSL implements, enable information to be sent securely over the Internet by encrypting data so third parties cannot access the data transmission. The toolkit also includes a cryptographic library with implementations of symmetric ciphers, hash functions, public key algorithms, and other cryptographic algorithms.

OpenSSL is a robust toolkit that is used throughout the Internet. However, it was vulnerable to the Heartbleed scare, which caused a large amount of servers to be susceptible to an attack. In response to Heartbleed, the OpenSSL source code has received more attention from programmers looking to make it more secure, which bodes well for the viability of the OpenSSL toolkit.

Primary File Type

file  icon.CSRCertificate Signing Request File

Supported File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.CSRCertificate Signing Request File
.CRLCertificate Revocation List File
.DERDER Digital Certificate
.P10Certificate Request File
.P7PKCS #7 Digital Certificate File
.P7RCertificate Request Response File
.PVKPrivate Key File
.REQSSL Certificate Request File
.RSARSA Certificate File
.SPCSoftware Publisher Certificate File

Additional Related File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.PEMPrivacy Enhanced Mail Certificate
Updated 8/28/2014