If you have a good eye for detail, you may have noticed that not all web URLs begin the same way. Some start with http:// and others start with https://. That is, some web URLs have an “s” tacked on to the end of the “http” prefix. Why is this? For security purposes, of course.
Basically, that “s” stands for “secure.” HTTPS encrypts the connection between a visitor’s browser and your server, so nobody in between, such as someone on the same public Wi-Fi, can read or change what’s sent. HTTP sends everything as plain text. HTTPS won’t fix every security problem, but running a website without it is no longer an option, especially if you take payments or collect any personal data.
Continue reading for more about HTTP and HTTPS.
Key Takeaways
- HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP: it encrypts data between the visitor’s browser and your website using SSL/TLS.
- Browsers mark HTTP sites as “Not secure”, and HTTPS is also a ranking signal for Google.
- Every HTTPS site needs an SSL/TLS certificate, and most hosts offer a free one.
- To move a WordPress site to HTTPS, install the certificate, update the site URLs and redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
The Basics of HTTP and HTTPS
As we said, the difference between HTTP and HTTPS is the amount of security each provides. However, they are related. To understand the two, let’s look at HTTP first.
HTTP is called a “stateless” protocol because each request is independent: the server doesn’t remember previous requests unless the site adds something like cookies. When you click a link, your browser sends an HTTP request (usually a GET request) to the server, and the server sends back the page in its response.
At a more technical level, according to Guru99.com, “HTTP is an application layer network protocol which is built on top of TCP.” As such a protocol, it uses Hypertext structured to establish the aforementioned link.
HTTPS works exactly the same way, but the HTTP messages travel inside an encrypted TLS connection. TLS sits between HTTP and the underlying TCP (or, with HTTP/3, QUIC) connection, encrypting data before it’s sent and decrypting it on arrival.
The point to recognize is that HTTPS isn’t a different protocol. It is an amalgamation of HTTP with an encryption/decryption sublayer (the SSL/TLS connection).
Another technical difference between the two is which port on the system each uses. HTTPS uses port 443 while HTTP uses port 80. But, for our purposes, that is a minor consideration.
HTTP. What Does It Mean?
So, even knowing the above, you may still have questions about HTTP. What does it mean? What does it do? First off, HTTP stands for “hypertext transfer protocol.” As for what it does, it offers rules and standards that direct how information is sent and received across the Internet.
It was developed in the early 1990’s by Tim Berners-Lee to provide a standard network protocol for communication between web browsers and servers.
What Does HTTPS Stand For?
In contrast, HTTPS stands for “Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure.” It is a far more security conscious and advanced form of HTTP. It uses either SSL or TLS (usually TLS, as SSL is now deprecated) to protect sensitive information by encrypting the entire message
The critical point is that without HTTPS, data such as usernames, passwords and credit card numbers can be intercepted on the way to your server. That’s exactly why secure protocols like HTTPS were created.
How Do HTTP and HTTPS Differ?
The critical difference between both protocols is security. Both HTTP and HTTPS were developed to provide for data transfer, but they are not both secure protocols. Of the two, only HTTPS makes any attempt to provide for the secure transfer of information. There are other differences, but that’s the main one.
This has an obvious result. “Unfortunately, this means that HTTP can be intercepted and potentially altered, making both the information and the information receiver (that’s you) vulnerable” (globalsign.com).
The following list summarizes the basic differences between the two:
- HTTP provides an unsecure manner of connection while HTTPS provides for a connection using SSL or TLS Digital Security Certificate.
- Both are application-layer protocols; HTTPS simply adds a TLS encryption layer underneath HTTP.
- HTTP uses port 80 compared to port 443 for HTTPS.
- HTTP sends plain text data while HTTPS sends encrypted data.
- Encryption once added noticeable overhead, but today HTTPS is usually just as fast or faster, because browsers only support the faster HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 protocols over secure connections.
Although they are related, it is clear that HTTPS is the more advanced and more secure option.
Which Protocol Is Better, HTTP or HTTPS?
Depending upon your purposes, either one could be better than the other—but not for business. If you are doing any kind of business on the Internet where security is an issue, HTTPS is clearly superior .This is true, even if it is just collecting email addresses for a newsletter. The info you collect is sensitive. Your subscribers will appreciate the effort on your part to protect it.
A few years ago people argued HTTP was fine for small personal sites. That argument no longer holds: certificates from services like Let’s Encrypt are free, most hosts install them automatically, and browsers treat HTTP pages as risky.
In other words, there’s no real benefit left in staying on HTTP, even for a hobby site.
Browsers already label HTTP pages as “Not secure,” and Google has announced that Chrome will turn on its “Always Use Secure Connections” setting by default, warning visitors before they open public sites that don’t support HTTPS. Google also uses HTTPS as a lightweight ranking signal. If you want your site to be trusted, and found, you need HTTPS.
What Are the Most Notable HTTPS and SSL Certificate Benefits
Every site using HTTPS requires an SSL certificate in order to work. The SSL Certificate benefits include such things as allowing for the authentication of your site. Basically, when traffic arrives on your site, they will be informed that a third-party has verified your “trustworthiness” because of the certificate.
For a clearer picture, here is a list of SSL Certificate benefits and the advantages of HTTPS:
- A redirect can be used to send traffic from an HTTP URL to your HTTPS URL.
- E-commerce transactions can be done securely
- The SSL technology will help build trust by protecting all users of your site
- The SSL Certificate that authenticates the site is verified by an independent third party
It is by no means a panacea. There will always be hackers out there but upgrading to HTTPS and getting an SSL Certificate is a necessity for the serious businessperson. Additionally, it is becoming “expected.”
According to Wikipedia, “In 2016, a campaign by the Electronic Frontier Foundation with the support of web browser developers led to the protocol becoming more prevalent.” In the last 10 years or so, more and more browsers and search engines have been shifting the Internet to HTTPS. The days of HTTP are numbered.
Conclusion
How to Move Your WordPress Site to HTTPS
- Install an SSL/TLS certificate (most hosts offer a free one in a single click).
- Update the WordPress Address and Site Address in Settings > General to https://.
- Set up a site-wide 301 redirect from HTTP to HTTPS.
- Fix mixed content by updating old http:// links to images, scripts and stylesheets.
- Update your sitemap, check Google Search Console, and consider enabling HSTS once everything works.
Understanding the significance of HTTPS and its advantages over HTTP are critical aspects of SEO. Search engines reward it and web browsers increasingly expect it. If for any reason you are unable to heed and deal with security issues, or for any reason have an excess of work, just turn to assistants who offer white label SEO for agencies that are in this market. We at Lasting Trend are prepared. It’s time to surf!
