How to enable TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2012 R2

Hello Dev, in this article, we will discuss how to enable TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2012 R2 to ensure secure communication for your applications and services. Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what TLS is and why it is essential.

What is TLS and why is it important?

The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol is a cryptographic protocol that secures communication over the internet. It ensures that data transmitted between two devices is encrypted and cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties. TLS ensures secure communication for various applications such as email, web browsers, and instant messengers.

Windows Server 2012 R2 supports TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, and TLS 1.2. However, due to security reasons, it is recommended to use TLS 1.2 as it has several security improvements over its predecessors. Enabling TLS 1.2 on your server will prevent security breaches and protect your sensitive data.

Steps to enable TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2012 R2

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

The first step to enabling TLS 1.2 is to open Registry Editor. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and typing ‘regedit’ in the search bar. Once the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following path:

Here, you will see several subkeys such as SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, and TLS 1.1. We need to create a new subkey for TLS 1.2.

Step 2: Create a new subkey for TLS 1.2

To create a new subkey, right-click on the ‘Protocols’ key and select ‘New’ -> ‘Key’. Name the key ‘TLS 1.2’. Once the subkey is created, right-click on it and select ‘New’ -> ‘Key’ to create two more subkeys named ‘Client’ and ‘Server’.

Your registry editor should now look like this:

Step 3: Create new DWORD values

Under the ‘Client’ and ‘Server’ subkeys, create the following DWORD values:

These values will enable TLS 1.2 and disable its predecessors for both client and server communication.

Step 4: Restart the server

After creating the subkeys and DWORD values, you need to restart the server for the changes to take effect. Once the server is restarted, TLS 1.2 will be enabled and ready for use.

FAQ about enabling TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2012 R2

Q: What is the difference between TLS 1.2 and its predecessors?

A: TLS 1.2 has several security improvements over its predecessors. It has enhanced cipher suites that provide better encryption, it supports Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), and it has better protection against attacks such as POODLE and BEAST.

Q: Is it safe to disable TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1?

A: Yes, it is safe to disable TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 as they are no longer considered secure. However, before disabling them, make sure that all your applications and services support TLS 1.2.

Q: How can I check if TLS 1.2 is enabled on my server?

A: You can use an online SSL/TLS scanner such as SSL Labs to check if TLS 1.2 is enabled on your server. Alternatively, you can use the following PowerShell command to check if TLS 1.2 is enabled:

Get-TlsCipherSuite | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*TLS*1.2*"}

Q: Can I enable TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2008 R2?

A: Yes, you can enable TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2008 R2 by following similar steps as mentioned in this article. However, it is recommended to upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server for better security and support.

Conclusion

Enabling TLS 1.2 on Windows Server 2012 R2 is crucial for securing the communication between your applications and services. By following the steps mentioned in this article, you can easily enable TLS 1.2 on your server and protect your sensitive data from security breaches. Remember to always keep your server up to date with the latest security patches and protocols for optimal security.