Understanding the Differences Between HTTP and HTTPS

As more and more people conduct business and share sensitive information online it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that this information is transmitted securely. This is where HTTP and HTTPS come in. In this article we will explain the differences between these two protocols and show you how to apply HTTPS to your website to ensure that your visitors data is secure.

What is HTTP?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol is a protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. it is the foundation of the World Wide Web and is used to request and transmit web pages and other online resources. when you type a URL into your web browser the browser sends an HTTP request to the server which responds with the requested data.

What is HTTPS?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is a secure version of HTTP. it uses Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security encryption to encrypt data that is transmitted between the web server and the client's web browser. this makes it much more difficult for anyone to intercept and read the data being transmitted as it is encrypted.

The Differences Between HTTP and HTTPS

The main difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS is a secure protocol while HTTP is not. this means that when you visit a website that uses HTTPS any data you enter into the website such as your login credentials or credit card information is encrypted and secure. on the other hand if you visit a website that uses HTTP any data you enter into the website can be intercepted and read by anyone who has access to the network traffic.

How Can I Apply HTTPS to My Website?

If you have a website and you want to ensure that your visitors data is secure you should apply HTTPS to your website. this is a relatively simple process but it does require some technical knowledge.

To apply HTTPS to your website you will need to purchase an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority. once you have obtained the certificate you will need to install it on your web server. this will involve configuring your web server to use HTTPS instead of HTTP and configuring the SSL/TLS certificate to be used for encryption.

Once you have applied HTTPS to your website your visitors will be able to browse your website with confidence knowing that their data is secure and protected.

FAQ

What is SSL / TLS ?

SSL/TLS  is a protocol used for encrypting data that is transmitted over the internet. it is used to provide security for online transactions such as online banking and shopping.

Why is HTTPS important ?

HTTPS is important because it ensures that any data that is transmitted between the web server and the clients web browser is encrypted and secure this makes it much more difficult for anyone to intercept and read the data being transmitted.

What happens if I don't use HTTPS?

If you don't use HTTPS any data that is transmitted between the web server and the clients web browser can be intercepted and read by anyone who has access to the network traffic. this can include sensitive information such as login credentials and credit card information.

Is it difficult to apply HTTPS to my website?

Applying HTTPS to your website is a relatively simple process but it does require some technical knowledge. you will need to purchase an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) and install it on your web server.

How do I know if a website is using HTTPS?

If a website is using HTTPS you will see a padlock icon in the address bar of your web browser. You may also see the letters "https://" at the beginning of the websites URL.

In conclusion HTTPS is an essential component of online security and should be applied to all websites that handle sensitive data. As we have seen HTTPS provides encryption for data transmitted between the web server and the client's web browser making it much more difficult for anyone to intercept and read the data being transmitted.

In addition to providing security for your website's visitors HTTPS is also beneficial for your website's search engine optimization (SEO). Google has publicly stated that HTTPS is a ranking signal and websites that use HTTPS are more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) than websites that use HTTP.

Furthermore many modern web browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox now display a warning message to users when they visit a website that uses HTTP. This warning message indicates that the website is not secure and that any data entered into the website may be at risk of being intercepted by third parties.

Applying HTTPS to your website is a straightforward process but it does require some technical knowledge. If you are not familiar with web server configuration and SSL/TLS certificates you may need to hire a professional to assist you with the process. However many web hosting providers now offer SSL/TLS certificates as part of their hosting packages making it easier for website owners to apply HTTPS to their websites.

In summary if you have a website that handles sensitive data such as login credentials or credit card information you should apply HTTPS to your website to ensure that your visitors data is secure. Not only will this provide peace of mind for your visitors but it will also benefit your website's SEO and reputation. So take the necessary steps to apply HTTPS to your website today and ensure that your website is secure for your visitors.