Photo: Florian Olivo on Unsplash
HTTP vs HTTPS: what is the difference?
In short: HTTP sends web traffic in plain text, so anyone on the path can read or change it. HTTPS wraps HTTP in TLS encryption and uses a certificate to prove the site’s identity. The padlock means the connection is private, not that the site is trustworthy.
HTTP vs HTTPS in one sentence
HTTP sends web pages in plain text, while HTTPS encrypts them with TLS and proves the website’s identity with a certificate.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | HTTP | HTTPS |
|---|---|---|
| Default port | TCP 80 | TCP 443 (UDP 443 for HTTP/3) |
| Encryption | None | TLS |
| Identity check | None | Certificate signed by a trusted CA |
| Data can be read on the path | Yes | No |
| Data can be changed on the path | Yes | No (integrity protected) |
| Browser shows | "Not secure" | Padlock / secure connection |
| Search ranking | Disadvantaged | Preferred by search engines |
What is HTTP?
Plain HTTP is the original web protocol. On public Wi-Fi or a compromised network, passwords and pages sent over HTTP can be read or altered.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS uses Transport Layer Security (TLS). The browser checks the site’s certificate, agrees encryption keys and then sends HTTP inside the encrypted tunnel. Free certificates (for example from Let’s Encrypt or a CDN like Cloudflare) mean every site can use it.
Which one should you use?
Always HTTPS. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS, enable HSTS so browsers never use plain HTTP, and keep certificates renewed automatically. As a visitor, remember the padlock only means the connection is private: phishing sites can have a padlock too, so always check the address.
Common mistakes and myths
- "Padlock means safe site." It means encrypted connection; scam sites use HTTPS too.
- Letting a certificate expire, which shows scary warnings to every visitor.
- Mixing HTTP images and scripts into an HTTPS page.
Learn more
Key takeaways
- HTTPS = HTTP + TLS encryption + certificate.
- The padlock means private, not trustworthy.
- Redirect to HTTPS and enable HSTS.
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