What Is HTTP?
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol used to transfer website data between a web server and a user's web browser. A network protocol is a set of rules and standards that define how data is formatted, transmitted, and received between devices on a network. Sir Tim Berners-Lee introduced HTTP in 1989 as part of the foundation of the World Wide Web and it became the standard method for delivering web pages, images, scripts, and other website resources across the internet.
HTTP establishes the rules that web browsers and web servers follow when requesting and delivering website content. When a visitor enters a website address or clicks a link, HTTP enables the browser to send a request to the hosting server and receive the requested files needed to display the website. HTTP provides the communication framework that allows hosted websites to be accessed through the internet. Without HTTP, web servers would not have a standardized way to receive requests from visitors and deliver website content to their browsers.
What Is HTTPS?
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure network protocol used to transfer website data between a web server and a user's web browser through an encrypted connection. HTTPS was developed in 1994 by Netscape Communications Corporation as an extension of HTTP by combining the original protocol with SSL to address growing security concerns on the web.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network by encrypting data transmitted between parties. TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the successor to SSL and offers enhanced security features and improved encryption methods. TLS uses a handshake process to authenticate the server and establish a secure session, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality during transmission in HTTPS connections.
HTTPS performs the same function as HTTP by enabling browsers and hosting servers to exchange website content, but it adds encryption and authentication during the communication process. This allows information transmitted between the browser and server to remain private and helps verify that visitors are communicating with the legitimate website.
HTTPS protects sensitive data such as login credentials, payment details, and personal information from unauthorized access during transmission. Its reliance on SSL improves website trust, meets modern browser security requirements, and supports safer communication between websites and their visitors.
8 Differences Between HTTP and HTTPS
The 8 main differences between HTTP and HTTPS are shown in the table below.
| HTTP | HTTPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Default Port | Port 80 | Port 443 |
| SSL/TLS Certificate Requirement | Not required | Required |
| Encryption Protocol Format | Does not use | Uses the TLS protocol |
| Server Authentication | Does not automatically verify | Automatically verifies |
| Data Transmission Format | Plain text | Ciphertext |
| Data Integrity | Does not detect data modification | Uses cryptographic integrity checks |
| Vulnerability to Interception | High | Low |
| Browser Indicator | "Not Secure" label | Padlock icon |
1. Default Port
Default port refers to the standard network port that a protocol uses to send and receive data between a web browser and a web server, unless a different port is manually specified. A network port is a numerical identifier assigned to specific services or protocols to direct incoming and outgoing traffic to the correct application on a server.
Port 80 is the default port used by HTTP for web communication. Port 80 acts as the standard endpoint that receives HTTP requests and delivers website content without encryption, which means transmitted data is viewed if intercepted during transfer.
Port 443 is the default port used by HTTPS for secure web communication. Port 443 acts as the standard endpoint that establishes an SSL/TLS-protected connection before data is exchanged, which helps protect transmitted information from interception and unauthorized modification.
2. SSL/TLS Certificate Requirement
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) / TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificate requirement refers to whether a web communication protocol requires a digital certificate to verify a website's identity and establish an encrypted connection.
HTTP has no SSL/TLS certificate requirement because it does not include certificate-based identity verification or encrypted communication.
HTTPS does require a valid SSL/TLS certificate before secure communication takes place. It is the responsibility of the website owner to obtain, install and renew this certificate on their server in order to enable HTTPS. HTTPS uses the certificate to authenticate the server's identity and establish an encrypted connection, which helps protect data from interception and unauthorized access during transmission.
3. Encryption Protocol Format
Encryption protocol format refers to the set of rules, algorithms, and data structures that determine how information is encrypted, transmitted, and decrypted during communication between a web browser and a web server.
HTTP does not use an encryption protocol for web communication and therefore transmits data in plain text. HTTPS utilizes the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to format, negotiate, and encrypt data exchanged between a browser and a web server. TLS creates a secure connection by having the browser and server agree on how to encrypt data, confirm the server’s identity, and set up shared keys to keep the information safe.
4. Server Authentication
Server authentication refers to the process of verifying that a web server is genuinely associated with the website it claims to represent before data is exchanged with a web browser.
Server authentication is not built into HTTP. HTTP supports application-level methods for users to authenticate themselves with credentials such as usernames and passwords but HTTP does not provide a way to verify a server’s identity. Users therefore have no cryptographic assurance that they are communicating with the intended website.
Server Authentication in HTTPS is automatic and relies on SSL/TLS certificates to verify a server's identity. HTTPS requires the server to present a valid digital certificate before secure communication begins, allowing the browser to confirm that the website is authentic.
5. Data Transmission Format
Data transmission format refers to the way information is structured and delivered between a web browser and a web server during communication. HTTP data transmission format uses unencrypted plain text to exchange information between browsers and web servers. This means the contents of the communication are viewed if intercepted while traveling across a network.
HTTPS data transmission format uses encrypted data that is protected through SSL/TLS protocols. HTTPS transmits data by converting readable information into encrypted ciphertext before transmission and decrypting it only after it reaches the intended destination, helping keep the communication private and secure.
6. Data Integrity
Data integrity refers to the assurance that information remains complete, accurate, and unchanged while it is transmitted between a web browser and a web server.
HTTP does not provide cryptographic data integrity protection. This means HTTP has no built-in way to verify whether transmitted data has been modified, corrupted, or tampered with during communication. HTTPS provides data integrity through verification methods built into the SSL/TLS protocol. HTTPS uses cryptographic integrity checks to confirm that transmitted data has not been altered in transit, allowing the browser and server to detect tampering before accepting the information as valid.
7. Vulnerability to Interception
Vulnerability to interception refers to the likelihood that data transmitted between a web browser and a web server is captured, viewed, or accessed by unauthorized parties while in transit.
HTTP has a high vulnerability to interception because it transmits information without encryption. Its use of plain-text communication allows intercepted requests and responses to be read directly by anyone who gains access to the network traffic.
HTTPS has a low vulnerability to interception because the transmitted information is protected through encryption. Its use of the TLS protocol establishes encrypted communication keys between the browser and server before data exchange begins, causing intercepted data to appear as unreadable ciphertext without the required decryption keys.
8. Browser Indicator
A browser indicator refers to the visual symbol, label, or status message displayed in a web browser's address bar that communicates the security status of a website connection.
HTTP browser indicator appears as a "Not Secure" label or an information icon in the browser's address bar. HTTP displays these indicators because the connection is not encrypted, allowing browsers to warn users that information entered on the website may be visible to others if intercepted during transmission.
HTTPS browser indicator appears as a padlock icon in the browser's address bar. HTTPS displays this indicator after verifying the website's SSL/TLS certificate and establishing an encrypted connection, helping users recognize that communication between the browser and web server is protected.