HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are both protocols used for transferring data over a network, typically the internet. However, they have some fundamental differences, primarily related to security:
Security:
HTTP is not secure by default. The data sent via HTTP is in plain text, which means it can be intercepted and read by anyone who has access to the data transmission.
HTTPS, on the other hand, is a secure version of HTTP. It uses encryption (usually SSL/TLS protocols) to secure the data transmitted between the client (like your web browser) and the server. This encryption makes it extremely difficult for unauthorized parties to intercept or manipulate the data.
Encryption:
HTTP does not encrypt the data being transmitted. Therefore, any information sent using HTTP, such as login credentials or personal information, can be easily intercepted by attackers.
HTTPS encrypts the data during transmission, making it secure. This encryption ensures that even if intercepted, the data would be unreadable without the encryption key.
Protocol and Port:
HTTP typically uses port 80 for communication.
HTTPS typically uses port 443 for communication.
Trust and Authentication:
HTTPS requires an SSL/TLS certificate installed on the server. This certificate verifies the identity of the website and encrypts the data being transmitted.
HTTP does not require any certificate for communication, which means it lacks the authenticity and assurance that the site you're communicating with is legitimate and not intercepted or altered.
In summary, HTTPS provides a secure way of transmitting data over the internet by encrypting it, while HTTP does not have built-in security measures, making the transmitted data vulnerable to interception and manipulation. In modern web usage, websites are increasingly moving towards HTTPS to ensure the security and privacy of their users.
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