Understanding HTTP, HTTPS, SSL and TLS
The internet has become an essential part of our daily lives. When we visit a website, send an email, or shop online, we interact with various protocols and technologies that ensure efficient and secure information flow.
One of the most critical protocols in web communication is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). In this article, we will discuss HTTP, its secure version HTTPS (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption technology. We will also discuss how they help to protect sensitive data and how they help to ensure internet security.
HTTP: The Foundation of Web Communication
HTTP, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is the most widely used protocol on the internet and it is the underlying technology to view web pages and interact with websites. When you enter a web address like “google.com” or “youtube.com” in your web browser’s address bar, you’ll notice that “HTTP” is automatically added at the beginning of the address. bar. That means HTTP is being used to retrieve the web page.
Standard HTTP has a major security flaw: all data transmitted using the HTTP protocol is unencrypted. This means that sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, can be intercepted by hackers while it travels across the public internet. The sensitive information is transferred in plain text which is not secure. As a result, using standard HTTP to exchange sensitive data can put your personal information at risk.
The Need for Secure HTTP (HTTPS)
It became more and more obvious that sending sensitive data over regular HTTP created serious security risks. Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) was designed to mitigate such concerns. In simple terms, HTTPS is HTTP with the addition of an encryption security feature that makes the data being transmitted unreadable to unauthorized parties.
What is Encryption?
The process of transforming easily readable (plaintext) information into indecipherable (ciphertext) data, making it either impossible to retrieve the original data (one-way encryption) or requiring an inverse decryption process for recovery (two-way encryption).
When you visit a website that requires you to enter personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, you’ll notice that an ‘S’ is added to the HTTP in the web address (e.g., “https://”). This ‘S’ indicates that your connection is secure and your data is protected. Many web browsers also display a padlock symbol in the address bar to indicate the use of secure HTTP.
How HTTPS Encrypts Data
Secure HTTP achieves data protection through encryption algorithms that scramble the data during transmission. This encryption ensures that even if a hacker intercepts the data, they would only obtain meaningless, encrypted information that is virtually impossible to decipher without the decryption key.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security)
Secure HTTP relies on two primary protocols to protect data:
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security). SSL is a widely recognized security protocol that uses public key encryption to secure data transmission.
Here’s how it works:
- The computer’s web browser requests the website to identify itself.
- The web server sends the computer a copy of its SSL certificate, a digital certificate used to authenticate the website’s identity.
- The browser checks the certificate for trustworthiness.
- If the certificate is trusted, the browser sends a message to the web server.
- An SSL session is established, allowing encrypted data exchange between the computer and the web server.
The other protocol that secure HTTP can use is called TLS. TLS or transport layer security is the latest industry-standard cryptographic protocol. It is the successor to SSL. TLS, operates on the same principles, authenticating both the server and the client while encrypting the transmitted data.
What is an SSL Certificate?
It is the Server certificate that allows the server to authenticate to the user and encrypt data transferred between the server and the user.
The Widespread Adoption of Secure HTTP
In recent years, many websites have adopted secure HTTP by default, whether or not sensitive data is being exchanged. This shift is partly due to Google’s influence, as the search giant now flags websites as “not secure” if they lack SSL protection. Websites without SSL certificates face penalties in their search rankings. Consequently, secure HTTP has become the norm for major websites.
Understanding the fundamentals of HTTP, HTTPS, and SSL is essential in today’s digital landscape. HTTP enables web communication. However, it poses a risk to the security of sensitive data. HTTPS, which is powered by SSL and TLS encryption, provides a crucial layer of security. It ensures that your personal information remains protected during online interactions. As the internet continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly vital to embrace secure communication protocols to safeguard your data and maintain a secure online experience.
References :
