HTTP and HTTPS

Basics and Differences

The Internet is based on communication between clients (e.g., web browsers) and servers that provide information. One of the most important technologies for this communication is the HTTP and HTTPS protocols. While HTTP was long considered the standard, HTTPS is now preferred because it offers greater security. But what exactly do these terms mean, and why is HTTPS so important?

What is HTTP?

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a communication protocol used to transfer web pages between a web server and a browser. It operates on a request-response principle:

The client (e.g., a browser) sends a request to the server.
The server processes the request and sends back the corresponding response.

HTTP typically uses port 80 and is a stateless protocol, meaning each request is handled independently of previous ones.

Disadvantages of HTTP

A major issue with HTTP is the lack of encryption, which means:
Data can be intercepted and read by third parties.
Attackers can steal sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details.
There is a risk of “Man-in-the-Middle” attacks, where data is manipulated or intercepted.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP. It uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect transmitted data. HTTPS typically uses port 443.

How does HTTPS work?

The browser requests an HTTPS connection.
The server sends its SSL/TLS certificate, issued by a Certificate Authority (CA).
The browser verifies the authenticity of the certificate.
If the certificate is valid, an encrypted connection is established.

This mechanism ensures that transmitted data is protected from eavesdropping and manipulation.

Key Advantages of HTTPS
✔ Security: Encrypted communication protects against data theft.
✔ Authenticity: HTTPS ensures that the website is genuine and has not been manipulated by hackers.
✔ SEO Benefits: Google favors HTTPS websites in search results.
✔ User Trust: Browsers mark HTTP pages as “not secure,” which can reduce user trust.

Here are the main differences between HTTP and HTTPS:

Feature	HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)	HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
Security	No encryption – data can be intercepted and manipulated	Encrypted data transmission with SSL/TLS – protects against eavesdropping and manipulation.
Port	Default port: 80	Default port: 443
Data Transmission	Unencrypted – attackers can see the data.	Encrypted – data is secure from third parties.
Certificate	No SSL/TLS certificate required.	Requires an SSL/TLS certificate, issued by a Certificate Authority (CA).
Website Trust	Browsers mark HTTP pages as “Not Secure.”	HTTPS ensures a secure connection and is preferred by browsers.
SEO & Google Ranking	Lower ranking in search engines.	Better Google ranking because HTTPS is preferred.
Use Case	Suitable for simple, non-sensitive content.	Required for online banking, e-commerce, login pages, and any site handling sensitive data.

Conclusion

While HTTP still exists, it should no longer be used, especially for sensitive data. HTTPS provides secure and trustworthy communication and has become the standard on the web. Anyone running a website should switch to HTTPS to ensure security and user trust.

Image credits: Header- & Featured image by FELLOWPRO

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