Last updated on November 6, 2023
HTTP vs. HTTPS: What’s the Difference? This is a question that many website owners and users often ask. The main difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure the connection between the client and server. This means that any data transferred between the client and server is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by third parties. In contrast, HTTP uses no encryption and is not secure. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between HTTP and HTTPS and explore the pros and cons of each protocol.
What is HTTP?
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is a protocol that allows different systems to communicate, sending data and information over a network. HTTP functions as a request-response protocol in the client-server model. A web browser, for example, can be the client, whereas a process, named web server, running on a computer hosting one or more websites may be the server. The client submits an HTTP request message to the server. The server responds with an HTTP response message.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS is a protocol for secure communication between a web browser and a website. It uses encryption to prevent hackers from stealing data. HTTPS is the updated and secure version of HTTP, which is the language that the web browser and the web server use to talk to each other. In HTTPS, the communication protocol is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or, previously, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This encryption provides confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for data transfer between the browser and the website.
When you visit a website that uses HTTPS, your browser sends a request to the server. The server then sends a certificate back to your browser. This certificate is used to verify that the website you are visiting is legitimate and that your connection is secure. Once your browser has verified the certificate, it will encrypt all data sent between you and the server.
For example, when you log in to your bank account online, you want to make sure that your information is secure. By using HTTPS, your bank can ensure that your login credentials are encrypted and cannot be intercepted by hackers.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: What’s the Difference?
HTTP and HTTPS are both protocols used for transferring data over the internet. While HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure the connection between the client and server, which means that any data transferred between them is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by third parties. In contrast, HTTP does not use SSL/TLS, making it more hackable. Another difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS uses port 443, while HTTP uses port 80 by default. This means that if you want to use HTTPS, you need to have an SSL/TLS certificate installed on your server. While HTTP is vulnerable to Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attacks and eavesdropping, HTTPS is generally immune to these attacks. Also, while HTTP operates at the Application Layer, HTTPS operates at the Transport Layer.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: Comparison Table
| HTTP | HTTPS |
| Hypertext Transfer Protocol | Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure |
| Uses port 80 by default | Uses port 443 by default |
| Transfers data in plain text | Transfers data in cipher text (encrypted) |
| Does not require certificates | Requires certificates to verify the identity of websites |
| Operates at the Application Layer | Operates at the Transport Layer |
| Does not provide encryption | Provides SSL/TLS encryption to secure the connection between the client and server |
| Vulnerable to Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attacks and eavesdropping | Less vulnerable to Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attacks and eavesdropping |
HTTP vs. HTTPS: The Pros and Cons
There are several advantages to using HTTPS over HTTP. First, HTTPS provides strong security measures and ensures that user data is not intercepted or misused by unauthorized parties. Second, HTTPS can improve your website’s SEO ranking by signaling to search engines that your site is secure.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using HTTPS. For example, it can be slower than HTTP due to the additional overhead of encryption. Additionally, certificates signed by well-known authorities that provide more security and a higher level of trust like OV and EV can be expensive.
Overall, HTTPS is a better choice for most websites due to its security features and SEO advantages. However, it is important to realize that while HTTPS is more secure than HTTP, it is not a silver bullet approach to all security challenges and hacking techniques like phishing. The fact you have TLS/SSL encryption on your website does not mean that you are entirely safe from all cyber threats. Therefore, the presence of a certificate should no longer be an indicator of trust. All that being said, HTTPS is still essential and yet another security brick for your cyber resilience wall.
Why is HTTP Not Secure? | HTTP vs. HTTPS
HTTP is not secure because it does not encrypt data during client-to-server communication. This means that any data transmitted over HTTP is sent in plain text without any encryption or security mechanisms. As a result, anyone with access to the network traffic, including cybercriminals, can intercept and read it. In contrast, HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure the connection between the client and server. This means that any data transferred between them is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
The lack of security in HTTP can lead to several problems, including data breaches, identity theft, and other cyber attacks. For example, if you enter your credit card information on a website that uses HTTP instead of HTTPS, your information could be intercepted by cybercriminals and used for fraudulent purposes.
How Does MFA Protect Against Cyberattacks?
HTTPS is more secure than HTTP but it may not be enough to ensure top security in a company. For that, you need Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds extra layers of authentication to safeguard systems and prevent many kinds of cyberattacks. MFA can help prevent some of the most common and successful types of cyberattacks, including phishing, spear phishing, keyloggers, credential stuffing, brute force, and reverse brute force attacks.
HTTPS is vulnerable to some of these attacks, so having Multi-Factor Authentication in place can help improve the security posture of your organization. MFA helps protect against these cyberattacks by adding an extra layer of security during login that requires users to provide more than one credential to prove their digital identity.
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HTTP vs. HTTPS: Conclusion
The primary difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption and is more secure. However, it’s important to note that HTTPS may not be enough to ensure top security in a company. For that, one needs Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds additional layers of authentication to protect systems and combat many types of cyberattacks. By using both HTTPS and MFA, companies can ensure that their data is protected from cyber threats.
