What is HTTPS?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a secure version of HTTP, which is the primary protocol used to transfer data between a web browser and a website. HTTPS is encrypted to increase the security of data transmission. This is especially important when users are transmitting sensitive data, such as logging into a bank account, email service, or health insurance.

Any website, especially one that requires credentials, should use HTTPS. In modern web browsers like Chrome, websites that don't use HTTPS are marked differently than those that do. Look for a green padlock in the URL bar to signify the security of the web page. Web browsers take HTTPS seriously; Google Chrome and other browsers mark all non-HTTPS websites as insecure.

You can use Cloudflare's diagnostic centre to check if a website is using HTTPS.

How does HTTPS work?

HTTPS uses an encryption protocol to encrypt communication. The protocol is called Transport Layer Security (TLS), although it was previously known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This protocol protects communication using what is called an asymmetric public key infrastructure. This type of security uses two different keys to encrypt communication between two parties:

Private key - this key is managed by the owner of the website and is, as the reader might assume, confidential. This key resides on the web server and is used to decrypt the information encrypted by the public key.

Public key - this key is available to anyone who wants to communicate securely with the server. The information encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with the private key.

HTTPs protocols, how to strengthen the security of a website

Why is HTTPS important? What happens if a website does not have HTTPS?

HTTPS prevents websites from broadcasting their information in a way that can be easily viewed by anyone monitoring the network. When information is sent over the normal HTTP protocol, it is broken up into data packets that can be easily "intercepted" using freeware. This makes communication over an insecure environment, such as public Wi-Fi, very vulnerable to interception. In fact, all communications that take place over HTTP take place in plain text, making them very accessible to anyone with the right tools, and vulnerable to attacks along the way.

With HTTPS, traffic is encrypted so that even if packets are intercepted or otherwise intercepted, they will be seen as meaningless characters. Let's look at an example:

On non-HTTPS websites, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or other intermediaries may insert content into web pages without the permission of the website owner. This usually takes the form of advertising, where an ISP looking to increase revenue places paid adverts on their customers' web pages. Unsurprisingly, when this happens, the profits from the adverts and the quality control of those adverts are in no way passed on to the website owner. HTTPS eliminates the ability of unmoderated third parties to inject advertising into web content.

Website security protocols

How is HTTPS different from HTTP?

HTTPS is not technically a separate protocol from HTTP. It simply uses TLS / SSL encryption over the HTTP protocol HTTPS arises from the transmission of TLS / SSL certificates that confirm that a particular ISP is who they say they are.

When a user connects to a web page, the web page sends its SSL certificate, which contains the public key needed to start a secure session. The two computers, client and server, then go through a process called an SSL / TLS handshake, which is a series of two-way data exchanges used to establish a secure connection. To dive deeper into encryption and the SSL / TLS handshake, read about what happens during the TLS handshake.

How does a website start using HTTPS?

Many website hosting providers and other services offer TLS / SSL certificates for a fee. These certificates will often be used by many customers. More expensive certificates are available that can be individually registered for specific web resources.

All websites using Cloudflare get HTTPS for free with a shared certificate (the technical term for this is a multi-domain SSL certificate). Creating a free account ensures that the web resource will receive continuously updated HTTPS protection. You can also explore our paid plans for individual certificates and other features. Either way, the web resource gets all the benefits of using HTTPS.

Why should websites use HTTPS?

Reason #1: Websites that use HTTPS are more secure for users.

A website using HTTPS is like a restaurant displaying a pass from the local food safety inspector: potential customers can be assured that they can patronise the business without suffering serious negative consequences. And these days, using HTTP is essentially like displaying a food safety inspection "Fail" sign: there's no guarantee that something terrible won't happen to the customer.

HTTPS uses the SSL / TLS protocol to encrypt communication so that attackers can't steal data. SSL / TLS also confirms that the website server is who it is, preventing impersonation. This stops several types of cyberattacks (much like food safety prevents disease).

While some users may not be aware of the benefits of SSL / TLS, modern browsers make sure they know that a website is secure no matter what.

Chrome and other browsers mark all HTTP sites as "insecure".

Google has gradually taken steps to push websites to enable HTTPS over the years. Google also uses HTTPS as a quality factor when returning search results; the more secure a site is, the less likely a visitor is to make the mistake of clicking on a link provided by Google.

Reason #2: HTTPS is more secure for both users and website owners.

When using HTTPS, data is encrypted when transmitted in both directions: to and from the originating server. The protocol secures the communication so that attackers cannot observe what data is being sent. As a result, usernames and passwords cannot be stolen in transit when users enter them into a form. If websites or web applications need to send sensitive or personal data (such as bank account information) to users, encryption also protects that data.

Reason #3: HTTPS authenticates websites.

Users of ride-hailing apps like Uber don't have to get into an unfamiliar car on faith just because the driver says they're there to pick them up. Instead, the apps give them information about the driver, such as their name and appearance, what kind of car they drive, and their licence plate number. The user can verify these things and make sure they get into the right car, even though the sharing cars are all different and they've never seen the driver before.

Similarly, when a user goes to a website, they are actually connecting to distant computers they don't know about, served by people they've never seen before. An SSL certificate that includes HTTPS is similar to the driver information in a rideshare application. It represents an external verification by a trusted third party that the web server is who it says it is.

This prevents attacks in which an attacker impersonates or spoofs a website, making users think they are on the website they intended to open, when in fact they are on a fake website. HTTPS authentication also helps a company's website appear legitimate, which affects how users feel about the company itself. (Users can check if a website is using HTTPS correctly by testing it in the Cloudflare Diagnostic Centre.)

To learn more about network protocols and learn how to set up your site to appear first in the results, you can attend search engine promotion courses.

AVSEO has launched a course that includes:

search engine optimisation of the site,

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Training takes place in a comfortable Regus office, which is located in Breeze shopping centre. You can ask questions or sign up for training by phone +380663849812.