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What Is HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)?
All You Need To Understand About HTTPS
With the ever-growing importance of online security, it’s no surprise that HTTPS has been gaining traction in recent years. HTTPS is a protocol that encrypts and decrypts communication between a website and a user’s browser. This added security measure has become increasingly important as we move more of our lives online. If you’ve been wondering what HTTPS is all about, this article is for you!
What Is HTTPS?
So what is HTTPS? The acronym stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure and is an advanced form of the regular HTTP protocol. It utilizes greater encryption measures to ensure that data is transferred securely and prevents hacking attempts.
HTTPS works by using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols to create an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. This connection is two-way, meaning any data that are transferred back and forth is also encrypted. This makes it impossible for malicious entities to intercept and access the information that you’re sending and receiving.
In addition to the encryption, HTTPS also offers authentication. This means that the user can be sure that the website they are accessing is genuine and not a spoof created to steal their personal details.
Ultimately, HTTPS is an essential protocol to ensure that your website is secure and that your customers’ data is protected. If you have an e-commerce or any other website that includes sensitive information or user data, you must use HTTPS to protect yourself and your customers.
How Does HTTPS Work?
HTTPS is based on the secure, trusted industry standard of TLS/SSL certificates. These certificates verify the secure connection between the web server and the browser, ensuring secure transmission of data.
When a request is made to a secure website (i.e. starting with https://), the server will respond with details of the TLS/SSL certificate. This certificate is then used to create an encrypted link between the server and the browser. All information sent between the two is then encrypted using an algorithm such as AES-256 that is agreed upon during the connection setup process.
In addition, HTTPS also utilizes digital signatures to authenticate the website itself and provide assurance to users that they are indeed connecting to the correct website while exchanging data. Ultimately, this enables users to access a secure website without being worried about identity fraud or stolen sensitive information.
Why Is HTTPS Important?
HTTPS is important for any website or web application since it helps protect both the user and the website against cyber security threats. With HTTPS, the data that is sent between the user and the web server is encrypted. This means that the data is much harder to intercept and view or steal.
HTTPS also increases the trust of the website or web application since it verifies the identity of the server as well as the website. As such, users can have more confidence in the website and be more likely to use it. Additionally, search engine rankings are also higher when a site is using HTTPS, so there are SEO benefits as well. Some additional benefits in detail of using HTTPS include as below.
1. Help in SEO Rankings
Websites using an HTTPS connection may get a ranking boost and appear higher up in search engine results.
2. Increased Visitor Trust
An SSL certificate and a secure connection help verify the authenticity of a website, and can increase customers’ trust in your website.
3. Improved Website Speed
HTTPS can help increase website speed thanks to the HTTP/2 protocol, which supports faster data transfers than the previous versions.
4. Data Encryption
The primary benefit of using HTTPS is that it encrypts the data transmitted between the user’s browser and the website. This ensures that sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and personal information are not intercepted by hackers or third parties.
5. Improved Website Security
HTTPS provides an additional layer of security against various types of attacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks and phishing scams. It also helps prevent session hijacking and other forms of data tampering.
6. Compliance With Regulations
Various regulations, such as GDPR and PCI DSS, require websites to implement security measures to protect user data. HTTPS is one such measure that can help you comply with these regulations.
Example of Website Accessed Through Both HTTP & HTTPS
HTTP
HTTP: http://example.com
This would access the example.com website using unencrypted HTTP.
HTTPS
HTTPS: https://example.com
This would access the same website using HTTPS, which encrypts the data being transmitted between the web browser and the website.
How Much Does HTTPS Cost?
The cost of migrating from HTTP to HTTPS may vary depending on the hosting provider and the type of hosting plan. Generally, it is cheaper to use SSL on shared hosting, VPS hosting, or cloud hosting than with dedicated servers.
Most web hosting providers now offer free SSL certificates with their plans. This makes it more accessible for small businesses and start-ups to migrate to HTTPS, as it does not add any additional cost. For larger businesses or those who need business-level validation, paid SSL certificates are available, but they are more expensive.
For websites that process payments or sensitive user data, it is essential to make the move to HTTPS. It may involve a cost, but it will provide extra security and reassurance to website visitors.
Start Using HTTPS For Your Website
HTTPS is essential for websites that process payments and require sensitive user information such as addresses, social security numbers, and any other kind of personal data. Start using HTTPS for your website and ensure that your users’ data is secure. This can also have a positive impact on your website’s search engine rankings, as Google has stated that HTTPS is a ranking signal. If you need any service or advice on using HTTPS for free, please contact Solar Speed for more detailed information.