HTTP vs. HTTPS: The differences matter
You’re probably familiar with thehttpsandhttppart of aURL.
It’s the first section of a URL before theFQDN, such as inhttps://www.lifewire.com.
You probably notice that some websites use HTTPS while others use HTTP.
Lifewire / Colleen Tighe
The difference between HTTP and HTTPS is thesat the end of the latter.
So, what do HTTPS and HTTP mean?
Are they really that different?
What Does HTTP Mean?
In other words, HTTP provides a pathway for you to communicate with a webserver.
This protocol is the foundation for large, multi-functioning, multi-input systemslike the web.
However, HTTP sends and receives data in plain text.
This includes passwords, messages, files, etc.
What Does HTTPS Mean?
This makes it much harder forpacket sniffersto decipher, unlike HTTP.
In our tests, HTTPS consistently performed 6080 percent faster.
In fact, in some browsers, you might select that icon to see a message likeConnection is secure.
it’s possible for you to also download malicious files over an HTTPS connection.
You could download malware all day over a secure channel; HTTPS will do nothing to stop it.
Using HTTPS is also different from using aVPN.
This is not a feature you get from HTTPS websites.
HTTPS is on port 443.
While most websites work with HTTPS via port 443, there are times when port 443 isn’t available.
