If you host your JTL-Shop with a third-party provider and use the Windows 10 operating system, you should be aware of the following: At the turn of the year, the first providers will initiate the changeover to the TLS 1.3 security protocol. In this article, we explain exactly what this is and what impact it will have on your systems.
Switching to TLS 1.3 - what you need to do now
JTL-Shop users whose hosting is taken over by a third-party provider should find out promptly whether the third-party provider is planning to switch to “TLS 1.3 Only”. In this case, they would only support this security protocol. If so, JTL-Shop users will need at least Windows 11 or Windows Server 2022 as their operating system from the time of the changeover. If you still have JTL-Wawi installed on a previous version, you should plan the update as soon as possible. For TLS 1.3, you must also have at least versions 1.7.14.0 or 1.8.6.0 of JTL-Wawi installed. So much for the specific to-dos, but what is the background to the changeover and what exactly is TLS?
TLS - briefly explained
TLS stands for “Transport Layer Security”. This is an encryption protocol that is used to secure internet-based communication. The encryption technology was first introduced in 1999 and is now standard on the World Wide Web. Last but not least, it also forms the basis for the HTTPS communication protocol, which almost every website provider now uses for their domain.
TLS 1.2 has become outdated since its introduction in 2008. In recent months, the first hosting operators have therefore switched to the new TLS 1.3. For webshop hosting, TLS is used to secure the connection between the user’s web browser and the webshop server. Compared to its predecessor, it offers clear advantages in terms of security:
Providers who switch to TLS 1.3 will continue to support the previous version TLS 1.2, probably until the end of 2026. However, anyone using JTL-Wawi in conjunction with Windows 10 should be prepared to switch to the new version of the operating system in the near future. In addition, as already mentioned above, there are also providers who only support the current security protocol with “TLS 1.3 Only”.
Why is it necessary to switch to Windows 11?
Although the new TLS 1.3 is supported by standard web browsers on Windows 10, it is not supported by Microsoft’s .NET Framework development platform, a middleware that forms the technical basis for numerous applications, including JTL systems. If a hosting provider switches to “TLS 1.3 Only”, an ERP installed on Windows 10 will no longer be able to synchronize with the store. Windows 11 or Windows Server 2022 is therefore a minimum requirement to ensure that your store continues to function without problems. Microsoft has released Windows 11, which supports TLS 1.3. Alternatively, you can also consider switching to another hosting provider that still supports TLS 1.2. However, this would only be a medium-term solution, as older versions of Windows, including Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019 and older, no longer meet the latest security standards.
It is therefore advisable to use an operating system that is as up-to-date as possible to ensure your online store security. By the end of October 2025 at the latest, when Windows 10 has reached its “end of life”, the deadline for switching to TLS 1.3 will also have expired. So it’s better to act now than later!
Software security is not possible without up-to-date software
In addition to ensuring good usability and efficiency, the software and data security factor is by far the most important reason to regularly take care of updates. At first glance, this may not seem like a direct benefit for your business, but it is the basic prerequisite for entrepreneurial success. After all, the trust of customers and business partners in eCommerce is one of the most valuable currencies of all.
