HTTPS: Stands for “HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure.”
Security
HTTP: It’s not safe. When you send information between your web browser and the server, then it’s like sending a postcard that anyone can read. This makes easy for others to spy the information.
HTTPS: It is secured. Data transferred is encrypted using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security). This means that even if the data is intercepted, it would be challenging for the interceptor to decode the actual information without the appropriate decryption keys.
Port: A port is a numeric identifier for a specific communication endpoint in a computer network. It allows different services on the same device to use network resources simultaneously.
For example:
HTTP: Typically uses port 80.
HTTPS: Typically uses port 443.
URL Display
HTTP: URLs begin with “http://”
HTTPS: URLs begin with “https://”
Usage
HTTP: Suited for websites where security isn’t a primary concern, like blogs or informational sites.
HTTPS: Essential for websites where sensitive data is transferred, such as online banking, email, e-commerce, or any other site requiring login credentials.
SSL Certificate: An SSL certificate encrypts data between a user’s browser and a website’s server for secure communication.
HTTP: Does not require SSL certificates.
HTTPS: Requires an SSL certificate to establish a secure connection. The certificate is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) after verifying the authenticity of the website.
Performance
HTTP: Slightly faster because there’s no encryption overhead.
HTTPS: Might be marginally slower due to the encryption and decryption processes. However, with modern servers and technologies like HTTP/2, the performance difference is often negligible.
Trust & SEO
HTTP: This doesn’t instill as much trust in users, especially when sensitive information is involved. Search engines might rank these sites lower than their HTTPS counterparts.
HTTPS: Increases trust as users can see the secure icon in the browser. Search engines like Google have also confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor, giving HTTPS sites a potential advantage in search results.
With the increasing focus on online security and privacy, many websites have moved to HTTPS, and it’s becoming the standard for most sites on the web.
