The editor of Downcodes will give you an in-depth understanding of the differences between HTTP and HTTPS protocols! HTTP and HTTPS are two core protocols for network data transmission. They have significant differences in security, port numbers and protocol usage. HTTPS encrypts data through the SSL/TLS protocol to ensure data transmission security, while the data transmitted by HTTP is in clear text and is easily eavesdropped and tampered with. This article will analyze the differences between the two in detail, covering security, port numbers, SSL/TLS protocols, performance and application scenarios, and comes with FAQs to help you fully understand these two protocols.
The main differences between HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are security, default port numbers, and the use of SSL/TLS protocols. HTTPS provides encryption functions during data transmission, thereby enhancing the security of data transmission, while the data transmitted by HTTP is unencrypted and can easily be eavesdropped or tampered with. HTTPS uses port 443 by default, while HTTP uses port 80. HTTPS requires an SSL/TLS certificate to ensure a secure connection between the server and client, while HTTP does not. These differences make HTTPS the protocol of choice for handling sensitive data transfers.
The biggest feature of HTTPS is that it encrypts data before transmitting it to ensure the security of user data and avoid being intercepted and snooped by third parties during the transmission process. All this is due to the SSL/TLS protocol, which is located between the standard TCP/IP protocol and various application layer protocols to provide secure support for data transmission.
Another key feature of the HTTPS protocol is that it provides an authentication mechanism, whereby the client is able to verify the identity of the server. This is usually accomplished through an SSL/TLS certificate, which contains the server's public key and the digital signature of the Certificate Authority (CA).
Each protocol has its default port number: HTTP uses port 80 by default, and HTTPS uses port 443 by default. This means that HTTP and HTTPS are separated at the network level, although they essentially serve the same function, that is, they are both used to transmit hypertext data.
HTTPS uses the SSL/TLS protocol to provide encrypted data processing, authentication of the other party's identity, and data integrity protection. SSL/TLS is a security protocol that defines how information is encrypted and exchanged when transferring data between a client and a server.
To use HTTPS, website owners need to apply for an SSL/TLS certificate from a certification authority (CA) and deploy it on their server. When users visit these websites, they can see signs such as locks or green address bars, indicating that the communication is safe.
Since the HTTPS protocol needs to encrypt data before transmitting it, this process requires additional server resources. Therefore, HTTPS suffers a performance penalty compared to HTTP, especially during the initial handshake phase. But with the advancement of technology, such as the promotion of HTTP/2 and the application of more modern encryption algorithms, this performance gap has gradually narrowed.
In order to improve the performance of HTTPS and reduce its overhead, developers can take a variety of optimization measures, such as using session reuse technology to reduce the number of handshakes, adopting more efficient encryption algorithms, and caching encrypted content through CDN distribution.
HTTP is often used in situations where encryption is not required, such as simple web browsing. HTTPS is widely used in environments with high security requirements, such as online payments, health care services, and personal data exchange.
Because HTTPS can provide security guarantees, users tend to trust websites that use the HTTPS protocol. For enterprises, using HTTPS not only protects customer data security, but also helps build brand credibility.
In summary, HTTPS is significantly better than HTTP in providing data encryption, authentication and data integrity. With the increase in network security awareness and the favor of search engines, more and more websites are beginning to use the HTTPS protocol to ensure user security and enhance trust. For any user and enterprise concerned about data security and privacy protection, using HTTPS has become a necessary standard practice.
What are HTTP and HTTPS? How are they different?
What does HTTP mean? How does it work? HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol and is a protocol used to transfer data between web browsers and web servers. It is a stateless protocol, meaning each request and response is independent and the server does not remember previous requests. HTTP usually uses port 80 for communication.
What does HTTPS mean? Why use HTTPS? HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Security and is a secure version of the HTTP protocol. Using HTTPS can encrypt data transmitted over the network to ensure data security and integrity. HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols to encrypt data. HTTPS uses port 443 for communication.
What are the differences between HTTP and HTTPS? The most significant difference is security. HTTP is transmitted in clear text, and data can be stolen and tampered with. HTTPS protects data through encryption, making it less likely to be stolen or tampered with during transmission.
Another difference is the default port used. HTTP uses port 80, while HTTPS uses port 443.
Another difference is validation. In order to use HTTPS, a website needs to obtain an SSL certificate to verify its identity and security. This makes HTTPS more reliable and makes it easier for users to identify whether they are communicating with a legitimate website.
Overall, HTTPS is more secure than HTTP and is suitable for websites that need to protect sensitive data, such as e-commerce websites, banks, and social media platforms.
I hope the explanation by the editor of Downcodes can help you better understand the HTTP and HTTPS protocols! If you have more questions, please continue to ask.