HTTP vs. HTTPS: What’s the Difference?

HTTP and HTTPS are two protocols that lay the foundations of the entire internet infrastructure. They establish the base principles governing communication between a client (browser, application, user-agent, etc.) and a web server.

But why do they co-exist, and what sets them apart? Look no further; this article will examine the topic of HTTP versus HTTPS—how each protocol works, what the difference between them is, and what you need to know should you decide to transition to either.

The HTTP protocol operates on the request-response model: a client (typically a web browser) sends an HTTP request to a server, which responds with the requested resource, such as an HTML page, image, or other content.

HTTP has undergone several revisions, the latest being HTTP/3, which is being increasingly adopted worldwide. At present, HTTP/2 is the most widely used version in almost the entire internet infrastructure. Each new version improves upon the previous one, increasing the overall internet speed and performance, but one major issue remains, and that is security.

HTTP uses a simple, text-based format for requests and responses, making it easy to implement and debug. However, because the protocol transmits data in plain text, it lacks built-in security, leaving data vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access. This limitation is addressed by HTTPS, which adds a layer of encryption to secure data transmission.

How Does HTTP Work?

A standard HTTP interaction follows this structure:

1. The client (browser, application, etc.) sends an HTTP request (GET, PUT, DELETE, etc.) to a web server for a particular resource. This request contains headers that provide additional information about the user-agent, host, etc.
2. The web server receives the request and determines the way it should process it.
3. The server sends back a response that includes an HTTP status code, headers that contain metadata, and, optionally, a body with a resource (HTML data, image or video file, etc.).

It’s important to note that the information in HTTP communications is unencrypted. This makes it vulnerable to ill-intended third parties who can fetch it and acquire exploitable details about the client and the web server.

The encryption is facilitated by SSL/TLS protocols that provide cryptographic encryption. This encryption prevents unauthorized parties from reading sensitive information, such as login credentials, payment details, and personal data.

HTTPS began gaining significant popularity in the mid-2010s, driven by several key factors that highlighted the importance of secure web communications:

• Google considers HTTPS as a ranking signal in its search algorithm. This incentivizes website owners to adopt HTTPS to improve their search engine rankings.
• The launch of Let’s Encrypt made obtaining SSL/TLS certificates free and straightforward, removing the financial barrier to HTTPS adoption. This initiative significantly increased the number of websites using HTTPS.
• Major web browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, mark non-HTTPS sites as “Not Secure.” This visual warning encourages website owners to switch to HTTPS to maintain user trust.
• Growing awareness of cybersecurity threats and data privacy issues, particularly following high-profile data breaches, led to a greater demand for secure web connections.
• Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) emphasize the need for secure data transmission, further driving HTTPS adoption among businesses aiming to comply with legal standards.

These factors, among others, contributed to the widespread adoption of HTTPS, making it the standard for secure web communications today.

How Does HTTPS Work?

The HTTPS protocol is very similar to the HTTP one but with one stark difference—it also creates an encrypted channel through which the data is exchanged safely. Here’s how an HTTPS connection typically goes:

1. The client (browser, application, etc.) sends an HTTP request (GET, PUT, DELETE, etc.) to the web server. The request contains headers with information about the request, user-agent, etc.
2. Before the request is processed, a TLS/SSL handshake is established between the server and the client. This handshake is designed to create a secure connection between the server and the client.
3. The server presents a private key that corresponds to the website SSL certificate’s public key and verifies its identity.
4. Both parties negotiate the algorithm and exchange session keys, which establish a secure connection.
5. The server processes the request and sends back an HTTP response containing headers and, optionally, a body (image, text, HTML data). The data in this response is now encrypted and protected against third parties.

How Do I Know Which Protocol My Website Is Using?

By looking at the address bar in your browser, you can tell which of the two protocols a website uses. Once the homepage loads, inspect the URL address.

• If it starts with http://, the connection between the website and your browser is HTTP.
• If the address starts with https://, the connection is HTTPS.

Why Is It Important to Use HTTPS instead of HTTP?

With the steady rise of online business, safeguarding user data, payment card information, and sensitive information has become paramount. HTTP doesn’t encrypt the exchanged information between the parties involved, so it can be intercepted and misused by bad actors.

HTTPS encrypts the connection, safeguarding the exchanged data from third parties. This defines the following key points about why you should use HTTPS.

Connection Security

HTTPS encrypts the transmitted data between a client and a server. Since the client and the server hold the encryption keys, they can only see the actual information. Any third party trying to intercept the exchanged data will see it encrypted.

This makes online transactions and the processing of personal details both safe and reliable.

Improved SEO

Using HTTPS is critical for your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Google, Bing, and all other search engines favor HTTPS sites, and place them much higher in their rankings.

Websites running on HTTP are not directly penalized, but they are bound to stay further back in the search result pages.

Instilling Trust in Visitors

The internet provides countless possibilities, but it also hides many dangers. With the increase of online services, the number of scams, data theft, and frauds has also risen exponentially. This makes visitors extremely suspicious and careful, as they should be.

Running your website on HTTPS instills trust in your visitors, as it guarantees that their personal details, payment card numbers, and any sensitive information will not be intercepted by malicious actors.

Additionally, modern web browsers display security warnings for websites missing SSL certificates, which drive many visitors away even before they get to see the homepage. Below is the “Your connection is not private” warning in Google Chrome.

Fulfilling Requirements for Online Payments

Online payments without HTTPS encryption are practically impossible. Submitting your card details on an insecure website is like leaving your front door open for everyone.

Data encryption is an absolute must for every web store that accepts online transactions. HTTPS websites guarantee that the customers’ details are protected and cannot be fetched by hackers, scammers, and other bad actors. Most payment processors require websites to work on HTTPS, and will reject working with websites that don’t employ it.

SSL/TLS Certificates for HTTPS

HTTPS connections are possible because of the SSL/TLS certificates that provide cryptographic encryption.

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the successor to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and has largely replaced it. In fact, what is referred to as SSL nowadays is actually TLS, but the term SSL has remained the most commonly used name.

An SSL/TLS certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to the server using TLS technology. It contains the website’s public key and the identity of the certificate owner, verified by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).

To learn more about SSL/TLS, read this guide on what SSL is and how to fix SSL errors.

SiteGround prioritizes website security by offering free SSL certificates to all clients, ensuring secure, encrypted connections through Let’s Encrypt. With easy SSL management via a user-friendly interface, and options for premium SSL certificates, SiteGround helps clients effortlessly maintain secure and trustworthy websites.

How To Switch from HTTP to HTTPS

Installing an SSL certificate is the first step in moving to an HTTPS website. However, you must take additional steps to enable HTTPS and leverage its security benefits for your website.

Depending on the application powering your website, the HTTPS setup will vary. With some applications, it could be as simple as clicking a button, while others may require more diligence.

Enforcing HTTPS on the Server

Before you configure your website application to work on HTTPS, you can enforce HTTPS on the server level. This way, all requests to your website must be made on HTTPS, while HTTP requests will be rejected.

Enforcing HTTPS on the server is relatively easy. If your web server is Apache, you just need to add a few lines in the .htaccess file. For more information, read this guide on how to force SSL with .htaccess.

Some web hosts make this process even simpler. SiteGround users can enforce an HTTPS connection for their websites with a flip of a switch. You’ll find the steps in this guide about how to enforce HTTPS via Site Tools.

Enforcing HTTPS in WordPress

Some web applications and content management systems (CMS) might not work as intended when transitioned from HTTP to HTTPS. You may need to tweak them so they can display the web pages correctly over a secure connection.

One such application is WordPress, and a common problem its users encounter in an HTTPS transition is mixed content. When this issue occurs, a WordPress website might not display some of the web page resources (CSS, fonts, images).

SiteGround has designed tools to remedy this common problem with minimum effort and in a timely manner.

The Speed Optimizer plugin features the Fix Insecure Content function that can automatically rewrite resource links so they can load through HTTPS. To learn more, read this guide on using the Fix Insecure Content in Speed Optimizer.

Advanced WordPress users who prefer a more holistic approach to fixing insecure content can use a dedicated Search & Replace tool for SiteGround-hosted WordPress installations. It allows you to replace all HTTP links in the website database with their respective HTTPS version. To learn how to use it, read this tutorial about the WordPress Search & Replace tool.

Final Thoughts—The Future of HTTPS

In a nutshell, HTTPS is here to stay. As digital threats evolve and user expectations for privacy and security rise, HTTPS adoption will only become more critical. With advancements in encryption protocols, increased regulatory requirements, and the growing need for secure communication across emerging technologies, HTTPS will remain indispensable for protecting data and building trust online.

SiteGround has fully adopted HTTPS and integrated free SSL installation tools in all hosting plans, which makes the website transition from HTTP to HTTPS a hassle-free and smooth experience. SSL certificates are one of many other features that our hosting plans offer. Find more information about the different hosting options on our SiteGround Web Hosting page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is Better—HTTP or HTTPS?

HTTPS is better than HTTP because it encrypts data transmission between the client and server, providing an additional layer of security. This encryption protects sensitive information, such as login credentials and personal data, from being intercepted by malicious actors. HTTPS also enhances trust, as users can see a secure padlock icon in their browser, and it improves SEO rankings since search engines prioritize secure sites.

Should I Use HTTP or HTTPS?

You should use HTTPS instead of HTTP, especially if your website handles sensitive information or user interactions. HTTPS not only secures data transmission but also builds user trust and complies with industry standards for data protection. With the increasing emphasis on online security, using HTTPS is considered a best practice for any website.

What Are the Ports for HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTP typically uses port 80, while HTTPS uses port 443. These ports are the default for their respective protocols and are utilized to establish connections between the client and server. Port 443 is designated explicitly for secure communications using SSL/TLS encryption.

Why Is HTTP Not Secure?

HTTP is not secure because it transmits data in plain text, making it susceptible to interception and eavesdropping by malicious actors. Without encryption, any data sent over an HTTP connection can be accessed and potentially manipulated, posing significant security risks, especially for sensitive information.

Why Is HTTP Still Used?

HTTP is still used for non-sensitive data transmission where security is not a primary concern. It’s simpler and requires fewer resources than HTTPS, making it suitable for static websites or internal networks where encryption is not necessary. However, the trend is shifting towards HTTPS due to its security benefits.

Does HTTPS Mean a Website Is Safe?

While HTTPS indicates that data transmitted between the user and the website is encrypted, it does not guarantee that the website itself is safe or free from malicious content. Users should still exercise caution and verify the website’s legitimacy, as HTTPS only ensures secure data transmission, not the site’s overall security or integrity.