HISTORY OF DEV

December 3, 2015

Let's Encrypt public beta launched

Let's Encrypt entered public beta on December 3, 2015 — offering free, automated TLSTransport Layer Security — encryption that protects data in transit on the web and networks. certificates via the ACME protocol.

What it was for

Let's EncryptLet's Encrypt's ACME APIApplication programming interface — a defined way for programs to talk to each other or to a service. lets servers prove domain ownership and receive short-lived certificates without manual paperwork or fees. Certbot and other clients renew certs automatically — HTTPSHTTP Secure — HTTP encrypted with TLS so data cannot be read in transit. went from a luxury to the default for blogs, APIs, and static sites. Example: `certbot --nginxA high-performance web server and reverse proxy — event-driven design for massive concurrency.` obtains and installs a certificate, then cron renews it before expiry.

Why it's here

Let's Encrypt removed cost and friction from deploying HTTPSHTTP Secure — HTTP encrypted with TLS so data cannot be read in transit. at scale.

Why it mattered

It drove encrypted-by-default web traffic and standardized automated certificate issuance.

What it solved

TLSTransport Layer Security — encryption that protects data in transit on the web and networks. certificates were expensive and manual; most small sites stayed on plain HTTPHyperText Transfer Protocol — the protocol browsers use to request and receive web pages..

Media

  • Let's Encrypt
    ImageLet's Encrypt

    Reseletti, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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