HTTP vs. HTTPS. What's the difference? Security.
DID YOU KNOW?
I was wondering why so many websites, such as mine, are using HTTPS (with an "S" added now) before the domain name in the web address. So, to find out, I did a little quick research.
HTTP
The acronym, or abbreviation, for HTTP is HYPERTEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL. This is the basic conveyance of data for web pages. When you see HTTP in a web title, you know that all the text, photos and links are properly working in your browser. It has to do with how messages are formatted and communicated.
HTTPS
The acronym, or abbreviation, of HTTPS is HYPERTEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL SECURE. When you see HTTPS in a web title, you know that there is a unique encryption added to protect personal information and passwords.
HINT: When logging in to an internet shopping website or to your online bank account (where credit card information or money is involved), you should make sure there is the HTTPS in the URL for security.
Web addresses are changing to HTTPS more and more for the purpose of security's sake.
WWW and HTTP in an address will soon be obsolete and HTTPS hypertexts will be taking their place.
So glad to hear a special encryption is being added to aid in our security on the internet!
HOW WEALTHY AFFILIATE RELATES.
A couple comments below added some very wise information relating WA to the equation:
"An interesting aside was that WA was a leading company in offering this for free. Most hosting companies were originally charging a fee for a certificate. Thanks WA."
Thanks, hanley!
"WA is right on top of this for us. We can enable this in Site manager in the details for our sites."
Thanks, Droseh! (Debbie)
"Another reason to love WA: that feature is provided here, all you have to do is turn it on. Just go to your Site Manager in Site Rubix, click on the details tab for your website domain and turn it on." (See Chart Below)
Thanks, HowardJaros!
Erin :)!
Recent Comments
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I added more information to the end if you're interested--from comments made here. Check it out!
Who controls https? I worry that someone will take issue with my content and block my site. Social media sites are already doing this for political purposes.
It is secure, as it add security on data through a secure socket layer (SSL) and a transport layer security (TLS) through protocol.
It sounds great and I will probably switch over one day. Yet, am a bit insecure about who controls these certificates. If you get decertified, it's game over. But I guess regular HTTP certificates are just as vulnerable to manipulation.
I am writing in the survival niche. Survivalists are by nature, paranoid. But, if I get too paranoid, I'll never get anything done. So some amount of trust is necessary.
There have already been issues with certificates, and the Symantec scandal was the most prominent one. Certificates were issued without properly identifying and verifying the website owner.
The https does not really "do" anything on the site other than encrypting user input entered at the website before it's sent to the receiving server.
There is no functionality for surveillance of what the site publishes or who visits.
If a certificate is banned or withdrawn, it will affect all sites who use that certificate.
The certificates offer several layers of security, where the free ones that are offered here represent the "lowest" security, where only the green padlock is displayed.
If you go to PayPal you will see that they also have website identification together with the green padlock and that mean a more complex (and expensive) certificate is used.
The most important thing to know is that even if a website is "green" it is not a quality mark of the overall safety on the site. It still can contain malware and viruses that can infect your computer, downloads are not safer than on a non-https site.
The need for https/SSL was pushed forward by Google when they announced that sites without SSL would rank lower than sites with SSL.
If you are worried about surveillance of your content, the best way is to completely stay away from Chrome, Google, Bing, Apple, Facebook, and every other big player that you interact with, install Tor and go off the grid totally.
Brilliant information, J! Great to know! Didn't know there were levels of certificates! Never thought about it.
Thanks for sharing. I must check latest website.by the way did you do a training on Google ad sense. I recall something about cars but not sure?
Erin, good information thanks for sharing, those that didn't know this will find this useful
Interesting, didn't know that. Then again I don't know much about things like that. ( Do you ever sleep Erin? lol)
Ha ha. Yes, some. I really need my beauty sleep! Glad to inform you of this internet jargon!
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I agree with all the explanation.
Great! Thanks! I added more information to the end! Check it out!