HTTPS Explained

This is the first article of the HTTPS Explained series, and by the end of this series you will be more familiar with HTTPS than ever before. However, in this article we will be exploring just the following:

What is HTTPS

HTTPS or HTTP

Functions of HTTPS

HTTPS Methods

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS means Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. This is the protocol used to encrypt and secure data that is being transferred between the client and server, this level of security is enabled by SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/ Transport Layer Security) and it provides protection against different forms of data manipulation during transfers of information. 

HTTPS can be explained as a security entity that guards data transfers between a client and a web server. This data could include all sorts of information and some could be sensitive, such as credit card details, classified government information, or just simply confidential personal data.

Without HTTPS, the information we send or receive could be interrupted, intercepted, manipulated, and even stolen by third parties. 

HTTPS or HTTP

HTTP simply means Hypertext Transfer Protocol (without the secure).

Just like HTTPS, HTTP is used to transfer data between a client and a server. However, it lacks the level of security HTTPS provides for data.

Major Differences between HTTPS and HTTP

HTTPS

• Encrypts data in transit using SSL/TLS
• Transfers data in plain text
• Uses port 443 by default
• Provides authentication using a digital certificate

HTTP

• Uses port 80 by default
• Higher SEO rank
• Lower SEO ran
• Does not provide authentication for server for client

Functions of HTTPS

• Encryption: HTTPS protects data in transit. This protection secures data from unauthorized access. This is important because the information in transit could be sensitive or confidential. Examples of such data include; passwords, credit card details, and classified information.

• Authentication: HTTPS uses digital certificates (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) to authenticate the identity of the web servers and establish a trusted connection between the client and the server. This authentication prevents phishing and other forms of cyber attacks as each client is verified before any authorized action.

• Confidentiality: Data in transit can not be decrypted or intercepted, hence the confidentiality of the data. The data in transit can not be viewed by unauthorized third parties.

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Websites using HTTPS are more likely to appear higher in search engine results because Google has made HTTPS a ranking factor because HTTPS is viewed as a sign of security and trustworthiness.

• Integrity: Data in transit can not be intercepted or modified, hence the integrity of data is ensured.

HTTPS METHODS
HTTPS methods are a set of commands used in HTTP requests to interact with web resources. They indicate the action that the client wishes to perform on the web server resource.
Here is a list of HTTPS methods:

• GET - used to request information on the web server.
• POST - used to send data to the server for processing.
• PUT - used to replace data on the web server.
• DELETE - used to remove a resource from the web server.
• HEAD - used to retrieve only the header information of a resource from the web server
• OPTIONS - used to retrieve the communications options for a resource.
• CONNECT - used to establish a network connection with a resource
• TRACE - returns a diagnostic trace of actions performed by the server.

Summarily, we have learned:

• HTTPS protocol is designed to provide encryption, authentication, confidentiality, and integrity between the client and web server. And as said before, the transit of data could be user login details, credit card details, classified data, or any information at all.
• The difference between HTTP and HTTPS where we explained the Secure present in HTTPS to be a layer of security that HTTP lacks. Also, we listed the various major differences between HTTP and HTTPS.
• The functions of HTTPS.
• HTTPS Methods

In the next article, we will be exploring HTTPS headers, body, and status codes. Stay tuned.