Internet Protocols Questions Medium
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are both internet protocols used for communication between a client (such as a web browser) and a server. The main difference between the two lies in the level of security they provide.
HTTP is the standard protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. It operates on top of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and is primarily used for retrieving and displaying web pages. HTTP transmits data in plain text, which means that any information sent between the client and server can be intercepted and read by unauthorized parties. This lack of encryption makes HTTP vulnerable to various security threats, such as eavesdropping, data tampering, and identity theft.
On the other hand, HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that incorporates an additional layer of security through the use of SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption. HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between the client and server, making it unreadable to anyone attempting to intercept it. This encryption ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted data, protecting it from unauthorized access and tampering.
To establish an HTTPS connection, a website needs to obtain an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted certificate authority. This certificate verifies the authenticity of the website and enables the encryption process. When a user accesses a website using HTTPS, their browser checks the validity of the SSL/TLS certificate and establishes a secure connection with the server.
In summary, the main difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTP operates over an unsecured connection, transmitting data in plain text, while HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure the communication channel and protect the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted data.