Close
Menu
s

pad_lock_unlock

What's HTTP and how does it affect your browsing experience?

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol and is used to control the transfer of content over the web. The content may vary from miniature texts to heavy graphic files. This protocol was developed by Ted Nelson and came out in 1991 with its successors in 1996, 1997 and 2015.

Consider the URL http://www.example.com, when the client (user) clicks on it, his browser directs an HTTP command to the server to access the requested web-page. This request is received by the host (server) and it responds by allowing/disallowing transfer of data.

On the other hand HTTPS protocol has an additional S, which stands for secure i.e. HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It is an encrypted HTTP connection with advanced security capabilities. In case of private information being shared on the internet, “S” signals inclusion of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) which in turn encrypts the data to be exchanged preventing hacking/leakage of data.

In other words, HTTPS may be regarded as a combination of HTTP and SSL.



In case of SSL, when the client requests to connect to website, the user's computer receives an encryption certificate. The moment connection is established, both the computer and and server exchange special keys with each other to exchange secured data. And transfer takes place on approval by both the parties. This encoding/decoding algorithm is unique for each client-server interaction.

HTTP connections use a port 80 by default. While HTTPS uses 443.

Summarising the key features of HTTP:

  • It is platform independant which allows straight cross platform porting.
  • No run-time support required.
  • It's not connection oriented and can be used over Firewalls.
  • No need for network to create and maintain session state and information.
  • No privacy, the data you share can be exposed or overseen by anyone.
  • No integrity implies anyone can alter the content.
  • No encryption gives a chance of eavesdropping snesitive information.
  • No authentication, thus you don't know whom you are interacting with. Anyone who intercepts can see the username and password.

On the other hand HTTPS offers Privacy, Integrity and Authentication, proving it to be highly secure.

While making online transactions or signing up for similar portals be careful to check for the additional "S" at the end.