The Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS

When you type a web address in the web browser address bar, you notice that it has either HTTP or HTTPS before it. Although the apparent distinctions are minimal, the two aspects are very different from each other. Here, we’re dealing with the key differences between HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) and HTTPS (hypertext transfer protocol secure) and which one you need to have the best web experience.

HTTP

The hypertext transfer protocol can be entered into a browser as http://: followed by the web address. HTTP uses port 80 of the transmission control protocol (TCP) to send and receive data over the web. Essentially, HTTP allows the user to communicate with the websites they intend to visit. It uses TCP to initiate a link between the client and the server for the client to view the content on a website.

Advantages of using http

1. It is easy to identify. The previously slow methods of processing requests during web browsing have been eliminated by HTTP. This has enabled fast browsing speeds.

2. specialization level. HTTP accelerates the browsing experience with the ability to process all web elements at once.

3. high degree of flexibility. HTTP allowed the use of various types of apps that required plug-ins, such as flash players and pdf readers, that had not been used by previous protocols. This allows a high level of compatibility with web pages of all types and their content.

4. The level of security provided by the use of http has made it the best type of Internet protocol ever. It increased the level of safety by limiting the level of exposure one had online.

5. It is easy to program. Because http is coded in plain text, this protocol makes it very easy to create websites.

HTTPS

The secure hypertext transfer protocol is a major improvement over http. It is from the same http creators that https originated. Https is often simply referred to as http over SSL or http over TLS, the last of which is a secure direct connection. In order to use this protocol version, one is required to type https:/then the web address. Even so, when you type in http, some sites which prefer to use https over http will automatically redirect you to their https formats. The secure part of HTTP means that, for security purposes, the web connection can be made over a securely encrypted channel.

Advantages of using https

1. Https uses a secure channel by employing the use of a public key from one end of the web traffic to the other. In this way, the chances of the web session being hacked are significantly reduced. The public key used is embedded in an SSL certificate which is issued by a given CA (certificate authority). Whenever you see a little green padlock before the https address, know that it’s a sign of trust your browser has for the website in question. You can see that on most official websites, such as Microsoft.com and others.

2. It is friendly to search engines. Modern marketing requires that a website be easily found by those searching for it using search engines. Search engine optimization is easier and more fruitful on https than on http.

These are advantages https has over http. The summary of the differences is;

• HTTPS is more secure than HTTP.

• The http operates at the layer of the applications while https operates at the transport level.

• While http uses port 80, https uses port 430.

• The validation of the domain is a must for https, while http does not need that. For that reason, https is by far more secure than HTTP as it sieves out bad domains.

• Also, https requires an SSL or TLS certificate to approve browsing. Either of them has to come with the signature of a valid Certificate Authority. These are the ways in which https secures data as one browses. On the other hand, http does not use either of them, meaning one is more exposed when using http. Data encryption is today more of a necessity rather than an option and that is why people are going towards using https.

The main differences between HTTP and HTTPS come down to the‘s’ part of the latter; security. The security level provided by https has evolved into the inclusion of other capabilities such as performance, speed and compatibility with many web services. Thus, the transition to https is an unavoidable activity for web users.