What’S The Difference Between Https And Http
What Are the Differences Between HTTP & HTTPS? | Venafi
What Are the Differences Between HTTP and HTTPS?
December 10, 2020
Guest Blogger: Anastasios Arampatzis
Venafi is a strong proponent of and is always encouraging people to move to HTTPS for several reasons such as performance benefits, security, and even SEO advantages. While we constantly use the acronyms HTTP and HTTPS, it is equally important to understand the basics of how they work and what their differences are.
In a Nutshell
HTTPS is HTTP with encryption. The difference between the two protocols is that HTTPS uses TLS (SSL) to encrypt normal HTTP requests and responses. As a result, HTTPS is far more secure than HTTP. A website that uses HTTP has HTTP in its URL, while a website that uses HTTPS has HTTPS.
Figure 1: HTTP vs HTTPS. Image source: Cloudflare
What is HTTP?
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, and it is a protocol—or a prescribed order and syntax for presenting information—used for transferring data over a network. Most information that is sent over the Internet, including website content and API calls, uses the HTTP protocol.
There are two main kinds of HTTP messages: requests and responses. HTTP requests are generated by a user’s browser as the user interacts with web properties. For example, if a user clicks on a hyperlink, the browser will send a series of “HTTP GET” requests for the content that appears on that page. These HTTP requests go to either an origin server or a proxy caching server, and that server will generate an HTTP response. HTTP responses are answers to HTTP requests.
HTTP requests and responses are sent across the Internet in plaintext. The problem is that anyone monitoring the connection can read these plaintexts. This is especially an issue when users submit sensitive data via a website or a web application. This could be a password, a credit card number, or any other data typed into a form. Essentially, a malicious actor can just read the text in the request or the response and know exactly what information someone is asking for, sending, or receiving, and even manipulate the communication.
The answer to above security problem is HTTPS.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (also referred to as HTTP over TLS or HTTP over SSL). HTTPS uses TLS (or SSL) to encrypt HTTP requests and responses, so instead of the plaintext, an attacker would see a series of seemingly random characters.
TLS uses a technology called public key encryption: there are two keys, a public key and a private key. The public key is shared with client devices via the server’s SSL certificate. The certificates are cryptographically signed by a Certificate Authority (CA), and each browser has a list of CAs it implicitly trusts. Any certificate signed by a CA in the trusted list is given a green padlock lock in the browser’s address bar, because it is proven to be “trusted” and belongs to that domain. Companies like Let’s Encrypt have now made the process of issuing SSL/TLS certificates free.
When a client opens a connection with a server, each machine needs a verified identity. So, the two devices use the public and private key to agree on new keys, called session keys, to encrypt further communications between them. All HTTP requests and responses are then encrypted with these session keys, so that anyone who intercepts communications can only see a random string of characters, not the plaintext.
In addition to encrypting communication, HTTPS is used for authenticating the two communicating parties. Authentication means verifying that a person or machine is who they claim to be. In HTTP, there is no verification of identity—it is based on a principle of trust. But on the modern Internet, authentication is essential.
Just like an ID card confirms a person’s identity, a private key confirms server identity. When a client opens a channel with an origin server (e. g. when a user navigates to a website), possession of the private key that matches with the public key in a website’s SSL certificate proves that the server is actually the legitimate host of the website. This prevents or helps block a number of attacks that are possible when there is no authentication, such as Man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, and domain spoofing.
Differences between HTTP and HTTPS
Based on the above presentation of HTTP and HTTPS, the following table presents the main differences between those two protocols.
Table 1: Differences between HTTP and HTTPS
Conclusion
HTTPS comes with many advantages, both performance and, most important, security wise. All browsers are strongly encouraging users to trust only websites implementing HTTPS because this is the single measure that can help them mitigate a variety of threats and attacks.
Related Posts
How Long Can We Trust the Green Padlock?
Google vs. the Certificate Authorities: Are EV Certificates the Answer?
What is HTTPS and Why Don’t More Businesses Use It?
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About the author
Anastasios Arampatzis is a retired Hellenic Air Force officer with over 20 years of experience in evaluating cybersecurity and managing IT projects. He works as an informatics instructor at AKMI Educational Institute, while his interests include exploring the human side of cybersecurity.
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The dangers of non-secure HTTP – Dept Agency
HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol – allows communication between systems. Most commonly, it is used for transferring data from a web server to a browser, to allow us to view web pages.
You’ve seen the Secure HTTPS before; a padlock icon in the address bar, or maybe an encrypted website connection – it’s displayed as a number of things. Originally it was reserved primarily for passwords and other sensitive data. The question now is: Why move to HTTPS? What’s the big deal?
The problem is that HTTP data is not encrypted, so can be intercepted by third parties to gather data passed between the two systems. This can be addressed by using a secure version called HTTPS, where the S stands for Secure. It involves the use of an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which creates a secure encrypted connection between the web server and the web browser.
A tidbit of useful information for those who don’t understand the difference between HTTP and HTTPS. The S indicates that a layer of security (encryption) has been added to the page. Browsers often add a small padlock icon near the address bar to highlight this.
Without HTTPS, any data passed is insecure. This is especially important for sites where sensitive data is passed across the connection, such as eCommerce sites that accept online card payments, or login areas that require users to enter their credentials. There are currently three different kinds of HTTPS certificates.
Ok – what kind of HTTPS certificate should i get for my site?
Good question. It’s a significant question to answer before purchasing the HTTPS certificate for your website. The certificate has three different types:
For Domain Validation (DV), the Certificate Authority will check on the applicant to use a specific domain name. No company identity information is required. The details are not to be displayed, other than encryption information within the Secure Site Seal. However, while you’re thinking that your information is safe, you may not know who is truly handling the information at the other end.
For an Organisation Validation (OV) certificate, the Certificate Authority performs a much more essential validation process. This involves checking the applicant’s business credentials and making sure that the company’s physical address matches the application, e. g. they would be checking a company registration to ensure it’s correct.
Any website protected by an OV SSL Certificate displays a small padlock and HTTPS prefix in the visitor’s browser bar. Actually, it’s not as eye-catching as the Extended Validation Certificate green bar.
Extended Validation (EV) is one of the highest standards of SSL Certificate available. It uses the same powerful encryption as other SSLs, but this one requires the vetting of the applicant’s business. Only those businesses that pass the process will receive an EV SSL Certificate. Anyone who sees the green address bar while on your site would immediately recognise it’s safe to use the site for browsing for products or sharing sensitive data e. Amazon.
Any businesses that sell products or accept payment information online should use an Extended Validation SSL Certificate.
What’s the difference between DV, OV and EV certificates?
Domain Validation (DV) Certificates are the easiest of all the certificates to obtain. There won’t be a manual check such as identity. However, there will be an automated verification that the applicant actually owns the domain. This makes DV SSL ideal for businesses needing a low-cost SSL quickly without the effort of submitting company documents. Also, it’s a perfect example to use for your personal website or blog – and is also good for your SEO! Organisation Validation (OV) Certificates take security up a level and require human verification of the organisation’s identity. Extended Validation (EV) Certificates would apply like OV, though there would be a verification of the business’ identity, legal status and address, not just domain verification. The process of the application may take a while to complete, but it does give users more confidence when purchasing something online.
Top reasons for moving to HTTPS?
There are many reasons, but I’ve identified three which are critical and arguably necessary.
HTTPS is actually good for the search engine
Google claims that websites who use HTTPS will have a small ranking benefit because of these security aspects. It is clear that HTTPS offers security, so it is definitely the choice to put you in Google’s good graces. Switching to HTTPS is therefore likely to increase and improve your organic search results.
Once users see an indication of HTTPS, it makes your site feel more secure; they will feel more protected while browsing. With so many hacking incidents making headlines these days, users want to know that your brand is making an effort to protect them and their private information being stolen or compromised.
‘Not secure’: the horror moment!
As you may have heard, in September 2016 Google announced that Chrome 56 will start displaying ‘not secure’ from January 2017 in the browser bar for any HTTP page asking users for login or credit card information. Also, in Firefox’s January 2017 blog post ‘Communicating the Dangers of Non-Secure HTTP’, Firefox encouraged web developers to move forward with websites to come with the HTTPS.
Imagine you were about to buy something online and saw that the site isn’t secure enough to protect your credit card details. Like most people, I’d likely navigate to somewhere else with a secure site under HTTPS. I encountered an interesting fact: only 3% of online shoppers have had said that they would input their credit card details on a non-secure site! Crazy isn’t it?!
Google has already started working on sites by emailing webmasters with a notification via Google Search Console that the site will need to be upgraded to HTTPS. If that’s ignored, the affected pages will be marked with a non-secure warning. Failure to comply will undoubtedly mean your site traffic volumes will suffer, as will the overall user experience and SEO quality. Below clearly with a warning message – this is an example.
Without doubt, HTTPS certainly has a place, and for those of you out there with websites dealing with personal information, such as eCommerce sites or blogs with membership areas, for example, HTTPS is a clear requirement.
I hope this blog post gives you a good overview to think about moving to HTTPS. Stay secure and safe, and ensure that your website is further optimised with SEO.
If you have questions or are looking to secure your website, get in touch with us today.
A milestone for Chrome security: marking HTTP as “not secure”
Security has been one of Chrome’s core principles since the beginning—we’re constantly working to keep you safe as you browse the web. Nearly two years ago, we announced that Chrome would eventually mark all sites that are not encrypted with HTTPS as “not secure”. This makes it easier to know whether your personal information is safe as it travels across the web, whether you’re checking your bank account or buying concert tickets. Starting today, we’re rolling out these changes to all Chrome users.
Starting in the latest version of Chrome (68), you’ll see a new “not secure” notification when visiting HTTP pages.
More encrypted connections, more securityWhen you load a website over plain HTTP, your connection to the site is not encrypted. This means anyone on the network can look at any information going back and forth, or even modify the contents of the site before it gets to you. With HTTPS, your connection to the site is encrypted, so eavesdroppers are locked out, and information (like passwords or credit card info) will be private when sent to the ’s “not secure” warning helps you understand when the connection to the site you’re on isn’t secure and, at the same time, motivates the site’s owner to improve the security of their site. Since our announcement nearly two years ago, HTTPS usage has made incredible progress. We’ve found in our Transparency Report that:76 percent of Chrome traffic on Android is now protected, up from 42 percent85 percent of Chrome traffic on ChromeOS is now protected, up from 67 percent83 of the top 100 sites on the web use HTTPS by default, up from 37We knew that rolling out the warning to all HTTP pages would take some time, so we started by only marking pages without encryption that collect passwords and credit card info. Then we began showing the “not secure” warning in two additional situations: when people enter data on an HTTP page, and on all HTTP pages visited in Incognito mode. Eventually, our goal is to make it so that the only markings you see in Chrome are when a site is not secure, and the default unmarked state is secure. We will roll this out over time, starting by removing the “Secure” wording in September 2018. And in October 2018, we’ll start showing a red “not secure” warning when users enter data on HTTP pages.
In October’s version of Chrome (70), you’ll see a red “not secure” notifications when you enter data on an HTTP page.
Making encryption easyIf you’re a site owner looking to migrate (or build! ) your site on HTTPS, we’ve helped make the process as simple and inexpensive as possible. Improvements include managed HTTPS for Google App Engine, required and automatic HTTPS on all domains, and free and automated certificates through Let’s Encrypt (Chrome is a Platinum sponsor). And if you’re in the process of migrating to HTTPS, look out for messages coming from Search Console with further information and when you’re shopping for concert tickets or online banking, rest assured: you’ll be warned if a site is not protecting your data with HTTPS. And we’ll continue to improve Chrome’s security, to make sure you’re using the most secure browser out there.
Frequently Asked Questions about what’s the difference between https and http
Why is HTTP bad?
The problem is that HTTP data is not encrypted, so can be intercepted by third parties to gather data passed between the two systems. … It involves the use of an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which creates a secure encrypted connection between the web server and the web browser.
Are HTTP sites safe?
More encrypted connections, more security When you load a website over plain HTTP, your connection to the site is not encrypted. This means anyone on the network can look at any information going back and forth, or even modify the contents of the site before it gets to you.Jul 24, 2018
Is Google HTTP or HTTPS?
HTTPS is already the default for Google sites, which scrambles data as it travels from Google’s servers to the user’s computer. It was introduced as the default for Gmail, its webmail service, in 2011.Aug 7, 2014
