The development of the internet environment has led to an increase in cybercrime, so higher web security standards are needed. That is why HTTPS protocol gradually replaces HTTP completely. So, what is HTTPS protocol? How are HTTP and HTTPS different? And why should websites use HTTPS instead of HTTP? This article will help you answer all those questions.
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What is HTTP protocol
?HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for transferring hypertext. This is the standard protocol for the World Wide Web (www) to transmit data in the form of text, audio, images, and videos from the Web Server to the user’s web browser and vice versa.
HTTP is an application protocol of the TCP/IP protocol suite (the foundational protocols for the Internet). The TCP/IP protocol suite is a set of communication protocols that implement the protocol stack on which Internet and most commercial computer networks run. This protocol suite is named after two main protocols, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP (InteProtocol – Internet Protocol).
HTTP works under the Client (client) – Server (server) model. Website access is conducted based on the communication between the two objects above. When you access a website over the HTTP protocol, the browser makes connections to the website’s server through the IP address provided by the DNS domain name resolution system. The server, after receiving the command, will return the corresponding command to help display the website, including content such as text, photos, video, audio, etc.
In the process of connecting and exchanging information, your browser will automatically assume that the IP address comes from the server of the website you want to access without any authentication measures. The information sent via HTTP protocol (including IP address, information you enter into the website …) is also not encrypted and secure. This is the loophole that many hackers have taken advantage of to steal user information, commonly known as sniffing attacks.
What is HTTPS protocol
?HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure hypertext transfer protocol. In essence, this is the HTTP protocol but integrates an SSL Security Certificate to encrypt communication messages to increase security. Understandably, HTTPS is a more secure, secure version of HTTP.
HTTPS works similar to HTTP, but with the addition of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates. Currently, these are the leading security standards for millions of websites worldwide.
Both SSL and TLS use an asymmetric PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) system. This system uses two “keys” to encrypt communications, a “public key” and a “private key”. Anything encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with the private key, and vice versa. These standards ensure that content is encrypted before transmission, and decrypted upon receipt. This makes the hacker even if he interrupts to get the information, he can’t “understand” that information.
How are HTTP and HTTPS different?
Although the same protocol for transmitting information on the internet, HTTP and HTTPS have core differences that make HTTPS more popular around the world.
SSL Certificate
The biggest difference between HTTP and HTTPS is the SSL certificate. Basically, HTTPS is an HTTP protocol with added security. However, in an era where all information is digitized, HTTPS protocol has become extremely necessary for website security. Whether you use a private or public computer, SSL standards will always ensure that communication between the client and the server is secure, from snooping.
Port over HTTP and HTTPS
Port is the port that identifies information on the client, then classifies it to send to the server. Each port carries a unique number with a specific function. The HTTP protocol uses Port 80, while HTTPS uses Port 443 – this is the port that supports the encryption of the connection from the client computer to the server, to protect the data packet being transmitted.
HTTP and HTTPS Security
When a client accesses a website, the HTTPS protocol will assist in verifying the identity of that website through a security certificate check.
These security authentications are provided and verified by Certificate Authority (CA) – the organization that issues certificates of digital certificates for users, businesses, servers, source code, software. These organizations act as third parties, trusted by both parties, to facilitate the secure exchange of information.
For HTTP, because the data is not securely authenticated, there is no guarantee that your connection is being “eavesdropped”, or that you are providing information for a real website or a fake website. pose.
Should you use HTTPS for your website
?In the past, HTTPS was often used for financial, banking, and commercial websites. electronic to secure online payment information. However, in the present time, HTTPS has become the minimum security standard that all business websites need to meet. For the following reasons:
HTTPS secures user information
The HTTPS protocol uses encryption to ensure that the messages exchanged between the client and the server are not read by third parties (hackers).
If accessing a website that does not have HTTPS protocol installed, users will face the risk of sniffing attacks. Hackers can “interrupt” into the connection between the client and the server, stealing the data that the user sends (password, credit card information, email text, …) and available information from the website . Even, every user’s actions on the website can be observed and recorded without their knowledge.
See also: What is Surge – Meaning of the word Surge
With HTTPS protocol, users and servers can completely trust that the messages transferred are always intact, without any modification or deviation from the input data.
Avoid scams with fake websites
In fact, any server can pretend to be your server to get information from users, scam in the form of Phishing. With HTTPS protocol, before the data between the client and the server is encrypted for further exchange, the browser on the client will request to check the SSL certificate from the server, ensuring that the user is communicating. with the exact audience they want. An HTTPS SSL/TSL certificate will help verify that it is an official website of the business and not a fake website.
HTTPS protocol increases website credibility for users
Some popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari all warn users about “unsecured” websites using HTTP. This move helps protect users’ information while surfing the web, including personal information, bank cards and other sensitive data.
Users are the soul of a website. So, protecting users is protecting your website. If users do not trust or feel secure when using the website, it is highly likely that you will gradually lose your available users. Using HTTPS with a securely validated SSL/TLS certificate is a pledge of credibility to them.
For SEO it is highly recommended to use HTTPS
Since 2014, Google has announced that it will push search rankings for websites using the HTTPS protocol, in order to encourage websites to switch to HTTPS. This also means that websites that have not converted will have a reduced competitive advantage compared to HTTPS websites.
So, if your business is implementing SEO through the Google search channel, then HTTPS is a paramount factor for your website.
HTTPS is slower than HTTP, but not significantly
The only disadvantage of HTTPS compared to HTTP is that using HTTPS makes the communication speed (web browsing, landing page loading) between Client and Server slower than HTTP. However, thanks to developed technology, the difference has reached the asymptotic limit of 0.
Through analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of HTTPS, it can be seen that HTTPS protocol is superior to HTTP in many aspects, and also increases business reputation. That’s why all websites should use HTTPS.
Where to buy HTTPS protocol
?For personal blogs or small website owners, you can completely use the free SSL certificate provided by the hosting company or install the free SSL yourself. .
Currently, hosting service providers such as AzDigi, iNET, hostinger, etc. all have SSL certificate activation services. After purchasing a domain name & hosting, ask the technical department of that unit to configure HTTPS on your website.
If you want to install free SSL yourself, you can refer to Cloudflare or Let’s Encrypt. How to create a free SSL certificate with these software is quite simple.
For business websites that need high security and authentication, the maintenance fee when converting a website to HTTPS usually ranges from 300,000 to 3,000,000 VND/year, even 3,000,000 to 14,000,000 VND/year. for professional certificates like EV SSL.
Currently, you can purchase EV SSL from Namecheap (for international payments), or BuySSL.com.
EV SSL (Extend Validated SSL) is not more secure than regular SSL. They differ only in form. And only a few businesses are allowed to register to buy.
See also: What is Phishing – How to Avoid Phishing Attacks
Conclusion
The article has helped you learn about the HTTPS protocol, as well as show the difference between the HTTP and HTTPS protocols. Therefore, do not hesitate to take the essential security step of your website: switch to HTTPS protocol. The security of information when using HTTPS will definitely make your website more secure and attractive in the eyes of users.
