What is HTTPS and why it matters
When we browse the Internet, we rely on websites to access important information, make transactions and share personal data. But what happens to our data when we send it over the Internet? Simply put, they are vulnerable to hacking and malicious attacks. This is where HTTPS comes in, a security protocol that protects website visitor data. In this article, we'll explore what HTTPS is, how it works, and why it's so important.
What is HTTPS and how does it work
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol used for data transmission between your browser and the server hosting the website. However, HTTP does not provide any protection for transmitted data, making it vulnerable to external attacks.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure version of HTTP, which uses encryption to protect the data transmitted between the browser and the server. HTTPS uses public key cryptography to secure data, which means that data is encrypted on the client side and decrypted using the private key on the server side.
To use HTTPS, the website must have a valid Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, which is issued by a trusted certificate authority. The SSL Certificate contains information about the website owner, the server's public key and the certificate authority that issued the certificate.
Why HTTPS is important for online security
HTTPS is important for online security because it protects the data transmitted between the browser and the server from hackers and bad actors. Additionally, HTTPS can also protect websites from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, where an attacker intercepts and modifies the communication between the browser and the server.
There are several benefits to using HTTPS, including:
- Data protection: Data transmitted via HTTPS is encrypted, which means it is protected from unauthorized access.
- Greater layers of security: HTTPS can protect websites from MITM attacks and other types of attacks.
- Improved reliability: Web browsers show a green padlock icon next to the website URL when HTTPS is used, which indicates to website visitors that the connection is secure.
HTTPS: An important technology for security
HTTPS is an important online security technology that protects the data transmitted between the browser and the server from hackers and malicious people. By using HTTPS, websites can ensure the safety of their visitors and protect themselves from MITM attacks and other types of attacks.
If you have a website, it's important to turn on HTTPS to protect site visitor data. By purchasing and installing a valid SSL certificate on your web server and configuring the web server to use HTTPS instead of HTTP, you can ensure the safety of your website and its visitors.
