What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

Great question! HTTP and HTTPS are both protocols used for transmitting data over the web, but they differ significantly in terms of security. **HTTP** stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is the basic protocol used by web browsers to communicate with web servers and load websites. However, HTTP transmits data in plain text, which means that any information sent between your browser and the website can potentially be intercepted and read by third parties, such as hackers. This makes HTTP less secure, especially when transmitting sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details. **HTTPS** stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It is essentially HTTP combined with an extra layer of security using SSL/TLS encryption. When you visit a website using HTTPS, your connection to the server is encrypted, which means that data exchanged is scrambled and much harder for attackers to intercept or tamper with. This encryption helps protect your privacy and data integrity. You can usually tell a website is using HTTPS if the URL starts with “https://” and you see a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. **When to use each:** - Always use HTTPS for websites where you need to enter sensitive information or want to ensure your data is secure, such as banking sites, online shopping, email services, and social media. - HTTP might still be used for public or less sensitive content, but it’s increasingly rare as many websites have adopted HTTPS as a standard for all traffic to improve user security and trust. In summary, HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, providing encryption and protection against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. For safe browsing and data privacy, prefer HTTPS whenever possible.