Difference between HTTP and HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Secure (HTTPs) are basically two different types of protocols that are used to transfer information from one computer to another using internet.

It is easy to know difference HTTP and HTTPS when we understand client and servers. The computer or browser that has requested to download data is called the client and the computer that stores the data to be downloaded is known as the server.

The task of both HTTP and HTTPS connection is same which is to transfer data but the difference lies on their security level. HTTPS is considered more secure protocol than HTTP.

These protocols use a website code to transmit  data that only machine understands. HTTP uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP) which is less reliable.

HTTP uses TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) which scammers can easily eavesdrop with your data. Your personal and sensitive information like your credit card number, bank information, etc. can be theft when you share such information to the sites that use HTTP connection in the process of signing up, having conversation with website or filling online form. You might get hacked or become a victim of phishing over HTTP connection.

HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) to exchange information. HTTPS is considered more secure than HTTP. The SSL Certificate used in HTTPS connection verifies the identity of owner and protects data. It uses a public key signed by a CA (Certificate Owner) that is encrypted. The green padlock that appears in the URL of HTTPS website ensures that the data has been encrypted (nothing is passing in plain text) and the website is trustful.

However, having HTTPS encryption and "SSL Certificate" do not ensure safety of your information. Before sending any personal information to such websites that request your permission, please check the overall reputation of site because even scam artists can create HTTPs site.

Final Words:

At the end it is clear that HTTP sites are less secure than HTTPS sites. We should never send any personal information to such sites that uses HTTP connection.

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