How HTTPS works, and why it is different from HTTP?

/in /by

Whether you have a WordPress website, or another type of CMS it’s really important that your web designers improved the security of your website. It’s important for example to make sure that your plug-ins are kept up-to-date, and your website should have an SSL certificate.

In today’s digital age, the security of our online transactions and the privacy of our personal information are of utmost importance, for example if your business was to lose customers credit card details due to the website being hacked, then this could cause damage to your brand’s reputation. This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of HTTPS, HTTP, and SSL certificates, exploring the differences between these protocols, why they exist, and how they work to keep your information safe. We will also provide valuable resources for further reading, ensuring you have a complete understanding of these critical aspects of online security.

 

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is an extension of the basic HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) used for secure communication over a computer network. HTTPS provides an additional layer of security by encrypting the data transmitted between your browser and the website you’re visiting. This encryption is achieved through the use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols (source: Mozilla Developer Network).

While HTTP is a protocol used for transmitting data over the internet, it is not inherently secure, leaving sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers vulnerable to interception by hackers. According to a 2020 Google Transparency Report, 95% of web traffic on Chrome is now encrypted with HTTPS, illustrating the widespread adoption of this secure protocol. We can build a WordPress website for you that has an SSL certificate.

For more information on how HTTPS works, check out this in-depth guide from Cloudflare.

So why do some website URLs begin with HTTP and some with HTTPS?

The choice to use HTTP or HTTPS depends on the website owner and their priority in ensuring the security of their site’s visitors. Websites using HTTP do not encrypt the data transmitted between the server and the client, making it easier for attackers to intercept and manipulate the information exchanged. In contrast, HTTPS provides encryption and ensures that the data exchanged remains confidential and secure.

In 2018, Google started marking all HTTP sites as “not secure” in Chrome (source: Google Security Blog), pushing more website owners to adopt HTTPS. This is why web designers, such as our company recommends that your business gets a HTTPs website.

 

SSL Certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate, that simply authenticates a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection between the user’s browser and the web server. To establish a secure connection, the SSL certificate uses a cryptographic key pair: a public key and a private key (source: GlobalSign).

According to a 2020 Sectigo SSL Report, the SSL market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20% from 2020 to 2025, highlighting the growing awareness and adoption of SSL certificates.

For more information on SSL certificates and how they work, visit DigiCert’s SSL Certificate Guide.

So what is HTTPS?

As mentioned earlier, HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is an extension of HTTP that adds an extra layer of security to the data transmission between a web server and a client

(browser). HTTPS ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of the data exchanged by encrypting the communication using SSL or TLS protocols (source: Cloudflare).

The importance of HTTPS has grown over the years, with organizations like Google and Bing encouraging its adoption by providing incentives such as improved search engine rankings for HTTPS-enabled websites (source: Google Webmaster Central Blog). So, not only could having a HTTP’s enabled website make your website more secure, it could also help to improve your businesses organic seo. Additionally, modern web browsers like Chrome and Firefox display a “not secure” warning for websites using HTTP, prompting more website owners to prioritise security and implement HTTPS.

Here are some key benefits of using HTTPS:
  • Encryption: HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between the server and the client, protecting sensitive information such as login credentials and payment details from being intercepted by hackers (source: Mozilla Developer Network).
  • Data Integrity: HTTPS ensures that the data transmitted between the server and the client remains unaltered during transmission, preventing hackers from manipulating or injecting malicious content into the communication (source: Cloudflare).
  • Authentication: SSL certificates used in HTTPS authenticate the identity of the website, assuring users that they are communicating with the legitimate site and not a fraudulent one (source: GlobalSign).

By understanding the differences between these protocols and the importance of SSL certificates, businesses and website owners can make informed decisions to protect their shoppers and promote a secure online environment.

 

For further reading on these topics, visit the following resources: