Maintaining security is very important when connecting to the Internet, using devices and services of all kinds. This is something that we must also apply to servers, logically. There are different types of protocols, functions, tools or applications that can help us avoid problems. In this article we review what the DTLS protocol is . We are going to explain how it helps to improve security on servers.
Taking care of the security of the servers is very important
We can have many devices connected to a server , serve to host a web page, cloud storage, serve as a backup for other equipment … There are many uses that we can give to this type of equipment, as well as the characteristics that have.
However, regardless of whether we are home users or a company , we must always preserve security and prevent data from being compromised, prevent potential intruders from accessing our accounts, and put privacy at risk.
For this to be possible we must have the devices and systems protected . There are many programs and services that help us do this and that can prevent cyber attacks. But there are also protocols that allow communications to be encrypted and protected from external threats.
An example that we can mention of attacks against a server are Man-in-The-Middle attacks that allow the collection of information that is not encrypted. They can basically listen to everything that is sent and received, something that could affect the server itself, the users that connect and the communications.
This is the case with the DTLS protocol, for example. We are going to talk about him. We will show how it works and why it is important to protect the security of the servers. An extra layer of security for our communications.
How the DTLS protocol works
When it comes to communicating over the Internet, something very important is to maintain privacy . It does not matter if we are sending text messages, emails, using social networks or sending information on a web. Over time, protocols have emerged that help us preserve data. For example HTTPS came to prevent the information we send in a web form from being intercepted on an insecure network.
Something like this is the mission of the DTLS protocol. The acronym comes from Datagram Transport Layer Security . We can translate it into Spanish as a diagram transport layer security protocol. Basically what it does is provide privacy in UDP communications. Now, what is UDP? It is a protocol in charge of the exchange of datagrams that we can send through the network without previously having a connection. This is possible since these datagrams already carry necessary information.
The DTLS protocol serves to provide greater privacy and security for these UDP communications. In this way the client can communicate with the server without an intermediary who can listen and, ultimately, compromise privacy. A way to keep that communication protected at all times.
It is based on the TLS protocol
It is mainly based on the TLS protocol , which we have already seen on many occasions that acts to encrypt connections and always keep privacy safe. This way we can avoid, once again, that there are intruders who access the information. It is a protocol that is very present in the network, when browsing the Internet.
However, there is an important difference between DTLS and TLS, and that is that the former uses UDP , while the latter uses TCP . It is widely used in programs and services susceptible to delays, which are those that use datagrams. For example we can name applications such as VPNs. It is designed to be very similar to the TLS protocol in general respects.
It will allow both the client and the server to communicate and that information is not maliciously modified. It prevents, for example, that messages are falsified or modified and that everything can be filtered. One more way to always preserve the veracity and reduce the risk of problems.
The DTLS protocol has multiple uses
Datagrams are widely used in streaming services. For example, a server that broadcasts videos over the network. It is also present on game or video conference servers. It should be borne in mind that this last case, that of video calls, is very present in our day to day. There are many options available to us and it is essential to always have reliable services.
An important aspect must be mentioned, and that is that DTLS does not guarantee the order of delivery of messages. Nor is it going to guarantee that messages will get delivered. However, it does have some benefits of datagram protocols, such as lower load and reduced latency.
DTLS is key to WebRTC
The characteristics of the DTLS protocol are very important to WebRTC . We already know that it is a project that gives web browsers and mobile applications the ability to communicate in real time. It is widely used in certain programs such as video calls.
In this sense, all protocols related to WebRTC are necessary to encrypt communications through DTLS. Here we must include SCTP, SRTP and STUN.
In short, DTLS is a protocol to encrypt communications that can come in handy for servers, applications and services especially related to video calls or platforms in which we exchange information. It allows all these communications to be encrypted and thus prevent possible intruders from interfering and seeing what we send or receive.
It is always very important to protect our systems and equipment. We must have security programs in place, keep them updated and keep common sense in mind and not make mistakes. But it is also essential to make use of applications that are reliable, that have adequate protocols to avoid leaks and that everything works properly. An example is what we have seen of the importance of the DTLS protocol for servers and communications.
