What is OpenSSL?

OpenSSL is an open-source implementation of the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols. It is a cryptographic library providing various functions related to secure communication over computer networks.

The library includes tools for generating CSRs (Certificate Signing Requests) and RSA private keys, checksums, managing certificates, and performing encryption/decryption.

Advantages of OpenSSL

OpenSSL is feature-rich, providing a comprehensive set of cryptographic functions, protocols, and tools that make it suitable for various applications and use cases. The flexibility of the library enables developers to tailor it to their specific needs. It also provides bindings for different programming languages (including C, C++, Python, and Java) and is available on multiple platforms and operating systems.

The cryptographic library is widely used, which makes it more stable and reliable. OpenSSL’s large user and developer community means better support and faster bug fixes and security updates. For newcomers, there are also numerous educational resources and documentation for troubleshooting.