diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 05436b4e3..eb0bf26f2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -332,13 +332,13 @@ If you are using the older Raspbian Jessie image, compiling Monero is a bit more
 
 * Then, install the dependencies for Monero except `libunwind` and `libboost-all-dev`
 
-* Install the latest version of boost (this may first require invoking `apt-get remove --purge libboost*` to remove a previous version if you're not using a clean install):
+* Install the latest version of boost (this may first require invoking `apt-get remove --purge libboost*-dev` to remove a previous version if you're not using a clean install):
 
     ```bash
     cd
-    wget https://sourceforge.net/projects/boost/files/boost/1.64.0/boost_1_64_0.tar.bz2
-    tar xvfo boost_1_64_0.tar.bz2
-    cd boost_1_64_0
+    wget https://sourceforge.net/projects/boost/files/boost/1.72.0/boost_1_72_0.tar.bz2
+    tar xvfo boost_1_72_0.tar.bz2
+    cd boost_1_72_0
     ./bootstrap.sh
     sudo ./b2
     ```
diff --git a/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp b/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp
index 946499129..d7bb62049 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp
+++ b/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp
@@ -289,7 +289,9 @@ ssl_options_t::ssl_options_t(std::vector<std::vector<std::uint8_t>> fingerprints
 
 boost::asio::ssl::context ssl_options_t::create_context() const
 {
-  boost::asio::ssl::context ssl_context{boost::asio::ssl::context::tls};
+  // note: this enables a lot of old and insecure protocols, which we
+  // promptly disable below - if the result is actually used
+  boost::asio::ssl::context ssl_context{boost::asio::ssl::context::sslv23};
   if (!bool(*this))
     return ssl_context;