Encrypt Connections to SQL Server

By default , the connections to SQL Server are not encrypted.

C:\>sqlcmd -W
1>  Select  protocol_type , encrypt_option  from sys.dm_exec_connections;
2> go

protocol_type encrypt_option
------------- --------------
TSQL FALSE
TSQL FALSE

We  can use SSL to encrypt the connections using SQL Server  Configuration Manager . 
Here are the steps.

a)  Expand "SQL Server Network Configuration " in the left panel
b) Right Click on  the "Protocols for XXXX" ( where XXXX is the ServiceName ) and select Properties.
c) Select "Yes" in the "Force Encryption " in the "Flags" tab.
d) Select the certificate in the "Certificate" tab. ( Note : If you don't specify  the certificate , SQL Server uses the self signed certificate) .
e) Click OK and restart the service(s) 


To verify the changes , run the following SQL .


C:\>sqlcmd -W
1>  Select  protocol_type , encrypt_option  from sys.dm_exec_connections;
2> go
protocol_type encrypt_option
------------- --------------
TSQL TRUE
TSQL TRUE
TSQL TRUE
TSQL TRUE

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