What is HTTPS?
Hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) is used to secure communication between web browsers and websites. HTTPS is encrypted to protect and safeguard sensitive data. Websites, especially those that use sensitive information such as login credentials, should use HTTPS.
A website must have a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate or a transport layer security (TLS) certificate to transfer information between users and sites via HTTPS. Companies use SSL and TLS certificate software to ensure their websites provide encrypted browsing. These software solutions generate and give companies the SSL certificates they need for HTTPS.
How does HTTPS work?
HTTPS uses an encryption protocol to encrypt communications. This protocol is called TLS, formerly known as SSL. While many website owners have transitioned to HTTPS, internet users may encounter an unsecure website as not all use the HTTPS protocol.
TLS is an updated, more secure version of SSL. TLS/SSL ensures data transferred between users and sites, or between two systems, remains impossible to decipher during transfer. Encryption algorithms scramble the data in transit, preventing hackers from reading transferred information, like credit card numbers, addresses, and account logins.
HTTPS signals the browser to use an added SSL/TLS encryption layer to protect confidential information. When website owners install an SSL certificate, visitors view the site via the HTTPS channel.
Benefits of HTTPS
HTTPS helps provide critical security measures for transmitting information. When it’s properly configured, HTTPS offers the following benefits:
- Confidentiality and protection. HTTPS adds a layer of security and protects against machine-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks in which a perpetrator intercepts a data transfer and steals information. Implementing SSL/TLS and using HTTPS shield data transmitted between servers and browsers as best as possible.
- Data integrity. An HTTPS connection guarantees that data sent from the website to the visitor remains unmodified. Secure data transfer assures users of the validity of the information they consume.
- User trust. Some websites use HTTP, which means they lack security certificates. Browsers like Google Chrome label these websites as “not secure” in the address bar. In contrast, websites on HTTPS are labeled “secure”. With direct visibility into these labels, users determine which websites they trust and which they don’t.
- Better search rankings. HTTPS affects search engine optimization (SEO) rankings. In 2014, Google announced they were starting to use HTTPS as a ranking signal to keep everyone safe on the web. It’s a best practice to use HTTPS for better crawlability and site indexing.
Converting HTTP to HTTPS
Organizations should prioritize converting HTTP to HTTPS to provide a better experience for visitors to their websites. To make the conversion, businesses have to complete the following steps:
- Purchase an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate is required for websites to use HTTPS. SSL and TLS certificates solutions provide companies with these certificates for use across their sites.
- Prepare for the migration. The complexity of the migration depends on a company’s website size and existing pages. Before making the shift, businesses should consider outlining a plan that considers the best timing for the migration. For example, e-commerce websites might want to avoid the Black Friday and Cyber Monday timeframe in the event of problems or delays that could interrupt sales.
- Install the SSL certificate on the web hosting account. After purchasing the SSL certificate, a web host can install it, so it functions properly. Once a business confirms that the SSL certificate is installed properly, the website can use HTTPS to increase data protection.
- Review all internal links. Following the installation and HTTPS conversion, organizations review all internal links to verify that they direct to HTTPS. Businesses can use a site crawl tool to double-check and update links accordingly. This step helps avoid penalties from search engine algorithms.
- Use 301 redirects to notify search engines of the change. A 301 redirect status signifies that a URL has been permanently moved. Since HTTPS impacts SEO, businesses should build a redirect plan for their migration strategy. The 301 redirect notifies search engines of the shift so the website can be crawled and indexed again with the new HTTPS protocol.
HTTPS vs. HTTP
While they look similar in a URL, HTTPS and HTTP are separate protocols with noticeably different characteristics.
Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) is considered to be non-secure. HTTP doesn’t require website certificates; data transfer isn’t encrypted. On the other hand, HTTPS is more secure. HTTPS requires getting an SSL certificate for the domain; data transfer is encrypted.
Learn more about certificate lifecycle management (CLM) and public key infrastructure (PKI) software to simplify the certificate management process.
Alyssa Towns
Alyssa Towns works in communications and change management and is a freelance writer for G2. She mainly writes SaaS, productivity, and career-adjacent content. In her spare time, Alyssa is either enjoying a new restaurant with her husband, playing with her Bengal cats Yeti and Yowie, adventuring outdoors, or reading a book from her TBR list.
