HTTPS is an encrypted website connection that has a lock icon in the address bar. As it was reserved earlier for passwords and other sensitive information, the web is gradually leaving HTTP behind and finally, switching over to HTTPS. The “S” present in HTTPS denotes “Secure” version of standard “hypertext transfer protocol” your web browser uses at the time of communicating with other sites.
HTTPS vs HTTP: Why You Should Care More About HTTPS
How HTTP can put you at greater risk
When connecting to a website with HTTP, your browser search for the IP address that may correspond to the website, connect to the IP address and believe it has been connected to the right server. Experts of an IT support company have found that the data is then transferred through the connection via clear text.
How HTTPS encryption protects you
HTTPS is more secure than HTTP. While connecting to an HTTPS-secured server, your browser will check the security certificate of your site and verify it had been issued by a valid certificate authority. Some secure websites like your bank will redirect you to HTTPS automatically. This helps to ensure if you find “https://bank.com” in your web browser’s address bar and you get connected to your bank’s website.
When you try to send confidential information over an HTTPS connection, no one can listen to it in transit. HTTPS helps in making online banking and shopping possible in a secure way. It provides additional privacy for web browsing.
For example, Google defaults to HTTPS connections which mean people cannot see what you are finding on Google. Thus, the same thing is applicable to Wikipedia and other websites.
Why everyone leaves HTTP behind
HTTPS had been intended for payments, passwords, payments and other sensitive data but the web world is now moving towards it.
Your Internet service provider who offers fully managed IT support services in London can investigate on your browsing history and sell it to advertisers. When the web shifts to HTTPS, your service provider cannot see much of that data though they see you are connecting to a particular website, as opposed to individual pages you are viewing. This will ensure more privacy for your browsing.
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HTTP enables Internet provider to interfere with web pages you are visiting. They could add content to the web page, modify the page or remove things when needed. For example, ISPs might use this process to inject more advertisements into web pages.
How browsers encourage websites to abandon HTTP
If you have the desired move to HTTPS, all new standards have been made so that the web runs quickly with HTTPS encryption. HTTP/2 is a new version of HTTP protocol that has been supported in all web browsers. It adds pipelining, compression and other features that make web pages to load faster. All web browsers require websites for using HTTPS encryption if they are looking for new HTTP/2 features.
Though browsers are trying to make HTTPS attractive by adding new features, Google is making HTTP unappealing for those websites that use it. Google wants to flag websites that do not use HTTPS as they are unsafe in Chrome. Thus, Google wants to prioritize sites that use HTTPS in search results to offer a strong incentive for sites that want to migrate to HTTPS.
How to know if you are connected to a site with HTTPS
You know you have been connected to a website having an HTTPS connection when your web browser’s address bar begins with “https://”. You will find a lock icon that you may click for more information about the security of your website.
This seems to be a bit different for each browser, but most browsers have https:// and lock icon. Some browsers try to hide “https://” by default and so, you will see a lock icon just next to a domain name of the website. However, if you tap or click inside the address bar, then you will find “https://” part of the address.
HTTPS vs HTTP: Why You Should Care More About HTTPS: Thus, if you use a different network and want to connect to the website of a bank, ensure you see HTTPS and proper website address. This helps to know you are connected to the bank’s website.
You can also get in touch with Totality Services – and IT support company in London for further assistance. In case you do not find HTTPS indicator on the login page, then you may be connected to an impostor website on a different network.
HussaiN is a full-time professional blogger from India. He is passionate about content writing, tech enthusiasts, and computer technologies. Apart from content writing on the internet, he likes reading various tech magazines and several other blogs on the internet. Email ID: [email protected]
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