HTTP vs HTTPS: Difference and Advantages Explained

In today's digital landscape, understanding the nuances of http vs https is crucial for website owners. This guide will explore the http vs https protocols to help you understand the differences and why HTTPS is the preferred choice for modern websites.

Also read: What is HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)?

What is HTTP?

HTTP, or HyperText Transfer Protocol, is the foundational protocol used for transmitting data over the web. It defines how messages are formatted and transmitted and how web servers and browsers should respond to various commands. HTTP operates on the application layer of the OSI model and uses port 80 by default.

Shortcomings of HTTP

While HTTP has been the standard protocol for web communication, it has several significant shortcomings:

• Lack of Encryption: HTTP transfers data in plain text, making it susceptible to interception..
• Security Vulnerabilities: Without data encryption, HTTP is vulnerable to various types of attacks, including man-in-the-middle attacks and data breaches.
• Trust Issues: Websites using HTTP are marked as "Not Secure" by modern browsers, leading to a loss of user trust and credibility.

How Does the HTTP Protocol Work?

HTTP functions as a request-response protocol between a client and a server. When a user types a URL into their browser, the browser sends an HTTP request to the server hosting the website. The server then processes the request and sends back an HTTP response containing the requested resources (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript files).

Overview of HTTP Requests and Responses

An HTTP request consists of a request line, headers, and an optional body. The request line includes the method (e.g., GET, POST), the URL, and the HTTP version. Headers provide additional information, such as the type of browser, the content type, and more. The body contains data being sent to the server (in the case of POST requests).

An HTTP response consists of a status line, headers, and an optional body. The status line includes the HTTP version, a status code (e.g., 200 OK, 404 Not Found), and a status message. Headers provide metadata about the response, such as content type and length. The body contains the requested resource.

Example:

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure), is the secure version of HTTP. It uses SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data transmitted between a client and server. HTTPS operates on port 443 by default. When you browse a website that has HTTPS enabled, you will see that the domain has a padlock (by clicking the icon next to it). Your browsers will let you access such websites usually without any kind of warning or error messages.

How Does HTTPS Protocol Work?

HTTPS combines the HTTP protocol with SSL/TLS encryption to ensure secure communication. When a user connects to a website using HTTPS, the following process occurs:

SSL/TLS Handshake

The first step in establishing an HTTPS connection is the SSL/TLS handshake. This handshake is a series of exchanges between the client (usually a web browser) and the server, which sets up the secure connection. Here's a detailed look at how this process unfolds:

1. Client Hello: The client sends a "Client Hello" message to the server. This message includes information such as the SSL/TLS version the client supports, the cipher suites (encryption algorithms) it supports, and a randomly generated number.
2. Server Hello: In response, the server sends a "Server Hello" message. This message contains the SSL/TLS version and cipher suite that will be used for the session, as well as another randomly generated number.
3. Server Certificate: The server then sends its SSL certificate to the client. This certificate contains the server's public key and is signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
4. Server Key Exchange (if necessary): Depending on the cipher suite, the server may also send a "Server Key Exchange" message. This is used in some cipher suites to provide additional key exchange information.
5. Certificate Request (optional): The server can request a certificate from the client to authenticate the client as well. This is optional and used primarily in mutual SSL authentication.
6. Server Hello Done: The server signals the end of the hello messages with a "Server Hello Done" message.
7. Client Certificate (optional): If the server requests a client certificate, the client sends it at this stage.
8. Client Key Exchange: The client sends a "Client Key Exchange" message, which includes a pre-master secret key encrypted with the server's public key.
9. Certificate Verify (if client certificate was sent): The client sends a "Certificate Verify" message to prove ownership of the client certificate.
10. Change Cipher Spec: The client sends a "Change Cipher Spec" message to inform the server that all subsequent communication will be encrypted using the agreed-upon cipher suite.
11. Finished: The client sends a "Finished" message, which is encrypted and contains a hash of all the previous handshake messages.
12. Change Cipher Spec and Finished (Server): The server also sends a "Change Cipher Spec" message, followed by a "Finished" message, completing the handshake.

At the end of this process, a secure connection is established, and both the client and the server have the cryptographic keys needed to encrypt and decrypt the data transmitted between them.

Data Encryption

Once the SSL/TLS handshake is complete, data encryption begins. All data transmitted between the client and server is encrypted, ensuring privacy and integrity. Here's how data encryption works in HTTPS:

1. Symmetric Encryption: HTTPS uses symmetric encryption to encrypt the data transmitted between the client and server. In symmetric encryption, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. This key is derived from the pre-master secret exchanged during the handshake process.
2. Secure Communication: With symmetric encryption, every piece of data sent from the client to the server, and vice versa, is encrypted using the session key. This means that even if an attacker intercepts the data, they will not be able to read it without the session key.
3. Data Integrity: HTTPS also ensures data integrity using a hashing algorithm. A hash of the data is calculated before encryption and sent along with the encrypted data. The recipient can then calculate the hash of the received data and compare it with the sent hash to ensure the data has not been tampered with.

Certificate Verification

Certificate verification is a crucial part of the HTTPS protocol. It ensures that the client is communicating with the legitimate server and not an imposter. Here's how this process works:

1. Server Certificate Presentation: During the SSL/TLS handshake, the server presents its SSL certificate to the client. This certificate contains the server's public key and is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
2. Certificate Validation: The client verifies the server's certificate by checking the following:

• Signature: The client verifies the digital signature on the certificate using the public key of the CA that issued the certificate. This ensures that the certificate was indeed issued by a trusted CA and has not been tampered with.
• Chain of Trust: The client checks the chain of trust, ensuring that each certificate in the chain, from the server's certificate up to the root certificate, is valid and issued by a trusted CA.
• Expiration Date: The client checks the expiration date of the certificate to ensure it is still valid.
• Revocation Status: The client checks whether the certificate has been revoked by the CA using methods such as the Certificate Revocation List (CRL) or the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP).

3. Hostname Verification: The client also verifies that the hostname in the URL matches the hostname listed in the certificate. This ensures that the client is communicating with the intended server.

If all these checks pass, the client can be confident that it is communicating with the legitimate server, and the secure connection is established. If any of these checks fail, the client will display a warning and may terminate the connection, protecting the user from potential security threats.

Overview of HTTPS Requests and Responses

HTTPS requests and responses follow the same structure as HTTP but include encryption to secure the data during transmission.

Example:

In HTTPS, this data is encrypted, ensuring that even if intercepted, it cannot be read by unauthorized parties.

Advantages of HTTPS vs HTTP

The advantages of HTTPS over HTTP are numerous. When it comes to https vs. HTTP, HTTPS provides enhanced security, better SEO rankings, and improved user trust.

1. Enhanced Security: HTTPS encrypts data, protecting it from interception and tampering.
2. Improved Trust and Credibility: Websites using HTTPS are marked as secure by browsers, enhancing user trust.
3. Better SEO Rankings: Search engines like Google prioritise HTTPS websites, leading to better search engine rankings.
4. Data Integrity: HTTPS ensures that data is not modified during transmission, maintaining its integrity.

Difference Between HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, and HTTPS

The HTTP protocol has evolved over the years, with newer versions offering improved performance and security features.

HTTP/1.1

• Released: 1997
• Features: Persistent connections, chunked transfer encoding, and additional cache controls.
• Limitations: Limited parallelism, head-of-line blocking, and no native encryption.

HTTP/2

• Released: 2015
• Features: Binary protocol, multiplexing, header compression, and server push.
• Improvements: Reduces latency, improves page load speed, and supports parallelism.
• Limitations: No native encryption (but often used with HTTPS).

For a detailed comparison between HTTP 1.1 and HTTP 2, also read: http/1.1 vs http/2

HTTP/3

• Released: 2020
• Features: Based on QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections), it supports faster connections, improved security, and reduced latency.
• Advantages: Eliminates head-of-line blocking, faster recovery from packet loss, and better performance on unreliable networks.

HTTPS

• Security: Provides encryption and secure communication over HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3.
• Use Case: Essential for secure data transmission, user authentication, and maintaining data integrity.

HTTP vs HTTPS: Key Difference between HTTP and HTTPS

When comparing http vs https, several key differences emerge. HTTPS, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, provides encryption and ensures secure communication. In contrast, HTTP lacks these security features.

The table below highlights some of the key differences between http vs https protocols:

HTTP

• Lack of Encryption: HTTP does not encrypt data, making it vulnerable to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
• Low Preference: Modern browsers and search engines discourage the use of HTTP due to security concerns.
• Port Number 80: HTTP uses port 80, which is the default port for unsecured web traffic.

HTTPS

• SSL/TLS Encryption: HTTPS encrypts data, ensuring secure communication between the client and server.
• Higher Preference: Browsers mark HTTPS websites as secure, leading to higher user trust and better SEO rankings.
• Port Number 443: HTTPS uses port 443, the default port for secure web traffic.

Why Do You Need HTTPS Over HTTP?

Security

HTTPS provides robust encryption, protecting sensitive data from being intercepted by malicious actors. This is especially important for websites handling user data, financial transactions, and personal information. The encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read or modified by unauthorized parties.

Trustworthiness

Websites using HTTPS are marked as secure by browsers, enhancing user trust. When users see the padlock icon and "https://" in the URL, they are more likely to feel confident in the website's security and legitimacy. This trust is crucial for e-commerce sites, online services, and any platform requiring user interactions.

Performance

With the advent of HTTP/2 and HTTP/3, HTTPS websites benefit from improved performance features such as multiplexing, header compression, and faster connection establishment. These enhancements lead to faster page load times, better user experiences, and reduced latency, especially on mobile devices and networks with higher latency.

How Can Vodien Fulfill Your HTTPS Needs?

Vodien offers comprehensive web hosting solutions that ensure your website is secure, fast, and reliable. Here are some benefits of using Vodien's services:

• SSL Certificates: Vodien provides SSL certificates that encrypt data and secure your website. Choose your SSL certificate now.
• Enhanced Performance: Benefit from Vodien's high-performance servers and advanced caching mechanisms.
• 24/7 Support: Get expert support anytime to resolve issues and ensure your website runs smoothly.
• Automatic HTTPS Setup: Easily convert your HTTP website to HTTPS with Vodien's automatic setup and configuration.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between HTTP and HTTPS is essential for any website owner. The choice between these two protocols can significantly impact your site's security, performance, and user trust. HTTPS offers significant advantages over HTTP, including enhanced security, improved trustworthiness, and better performance.

Don't compromise on your website's security. Make the switch from HTTP to HTTPS today and reap the benefits. Remember, in the http vs https debate, HTTPS is the clear winner. Convert your http website to https today.

For all your HTTPS needs, consider Vodien’s web hosting solutions to ensure your website is secure and performing at its best.