When you open a website on Google, what do you type? www.[website-name].com, right?
In an instant, this website changes to http://www.[website-name].com or https://www.[website-name].com.
So, what difference does that “s” make in HTTPS, and what does it mean?
If you ask me, I’ll say that “S” stands for security or safety.
Before we get into details, keep in mind that your ISP works as your first line of defense. A good ISP focuses on more than just speed; it offers a secure infrastructure that ensures the safety of your data. My recommendation is to start with a good ISP like Xfinity. Xfinity Internet offers advanced security features that block billions of threats so your devices remain safe while browsing online.
Now you might ask, what kind of safety HTTPS can offer that the internet can’t? Does that mean your data is safe as a business or as a customer? What happens when you don’t use it on your website, and what should you do if you come across a website that doesn’t have it?
If you want an answer to all these questions, then keep reading.
Within this write-up, we will cover all these questions in detail and other related information.
So, let’s start with the basics.
What is HTTP?
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
HTTP was the foundational language of the internet, and it was mainly used for transferring information. By using this language, the information was sent from the computer to the website server and then back.
But the problem was privacy.
Using HTTP was just like writing a message on an open letter and then dropping it in the post.
So, everything that you share is open for anyone else to see. Now imagine the same with the information you share on any website.
Yes, you guessed it right. Your password, credit card number, name, phone number, everything can be read by the mail carrier.
Apart from this, the manager handling the website and the server company will also get all your information. Consequently, anyone who intercepts the website gets to login can simply get access to all your information, even when the website has HTTPS.
This gets even more dangerous in the case of public Wi-Fi because there are so many people connected to the same connection. So, if you are sitting in a coffee shop and using a public Wi-Fi, anyone can easily get access to your personal information.
This is the reason we have HTTPS.
So, how is it different?
What is HTTPS?
The small s that you see at the end of HTTP might not look like a big difference. However, in reality, it literally adds “secure” to your website.
So, when the website has HTTPS, it mainly denotes that your data is safe. Every time you share information, it is encrypted and converted into something gibberish.
Eventually, if there is a hacker, he will never get access to your information. Even if he somehow finds your information, he will not be able to read or understand it because of encryption.
This happens because your website uses security technology commonly known as the SSL/TLS certificate. Now, if you want to compare HTTP and HTTPS, imagine the same example of an open email.
This time, instead of your message written on the postcard that anyone can read, think of it as a message that you have written on paper, sealed it with a stamp, and finally locked it in a solid iron chest. Since you have secured the message in multiple layers, it can be taken anywhere, and no one will be able to read the message.
So, does this mean no one will be able to see your message?
The answer is no. Your message in this state can travel via the internet highway, intercepted by hackers or accessed by scammers, but they won’t be able to unlock or understand it because it is encrypted.
To help you understand it better, imagine you are using a public Wi-Fi. The information you have shared ends up with a hacker. He will be able to intercept your data on an HTTPS site. However, it will be in code words. They will literally see something written like this: 6bs@#ndnvloan.
Consequently, your password, credit card information, and even private messages will remain safe.
Updating With the Growing Security Threats
As technology grows, so do cybersecurity threats.
To address this issue, major tech companies like Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge have already started taking it seriously. So, when you visit any encrypted site, your browser will give you a warning notification that “the site you are trying to reach is not secure”.
This is perfect for everyday users who are not familiar with cybersecurity protocols and are usually preyed on by scammers and hackers.
To ensure that you get to keep your information safe, make sure you never type your password, email address, location, home address, or credit details on any site unless it has an HTTPS sign.
In case the “s” is missing in the HTTPS of a website, close the tab right away. You can check the padlock icon in the address bar to make sure that the website’s certificate is valid.
Simply put, the digital world is tempting. You will come across free public WIFI’s, online deals that are too good to be true. The only thing that protects you in all of these situations is checking for HTTPS, looking for the padlock, and confirming the certificate before you enter any personal or payment information. It takes a few seconds and can save you from a much bigger problem later.
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