HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are two different protocols used to transfer data over the internet. They determine how data is sent between a client (such as a web browser) and a server (such as a website).
HTTP is the foundation of data communication on the web. It's the protocol used to transfer data from a web server to a web browser, allowing users to access and view web pages. When you type a URL into your web browser, it sends an HTTP request to the web server, which responds by sending back the requested information in an HTTP response. HTTP is a stateless protocol, meaning that each request is independent and doesn't rely on previous requests.
However, HTTP isn't secure. When data is transferred over HTTP, it's sent in plain text, which means that anyone who intercepts the data can read it. This can include sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information.
To address this security issue, HTTPS was created. HTTPS uses an SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption protocol to protect data as it's transmitted between a web server and a web browser. This encryption ensures that any data transmitted between the two parties can't be read by anyone who intercepts it.
In addition to providing encryption, HTTPS also uses digital certificates to verify the identity of a website. This means that when you visit a website using HTTPS, you can be sure that you're actually connecting to the website you intended to visit and not an imposter site created to steal your information.
In summary, HTTP is a protocol used to transfer data between a web server and a web browser. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that uses encryption and digital certificates to protect data as it's transmitted over the internet. When transmitting sensitive information over the web, it's always recommended to use HTTPS to ensure the security of your data.