Do you know that HTTPS plays a very important role to secure the web? Keep reading to know the basic concept of HTTPS and how it actually protects users’ online security.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS means Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure and it is an Internet communication protocol which protects the integrity and confidentiality of data between user and website. In addition, HTTPS is encrypted to enhance the security of data transfer.
Where to confirm if website is protected with HTTPS?
You can find a small “lock icon” in the address bar of the Internet browser that you usually use for navigating.
Why is HTTPS important?
HTTPS can help user prevent attackers or third parties from snooping information submitted to the website. In fact, HTTPS is particularly important when users transmit sensitive personal data because the traffic will be encrypted to protect online privacy.
How does HTTPS work?
HTTPS uses the encryption protocol to protect users’ communications. Such SSL/TLS protocol uses asymmetric public key infrastructure to secure the data. In other words, this type of security system uses the private and public keys to encrypt communications between two parties.
Let us explain a little bit more what are the private and public keys for you:
The public key: The public key is comprised of a string of random numbers. In fact, it is created using a complex asymmetric algorithm to pair with an associated private key.
The private key: The private key is a secret key known only by its owner. Only the intended recipient is able to decipher and read the encrypted data by using the key pair (private and public keys) together for security purpose. In other words, it is practically impossible for anyone else to break the encryption knowing the public key alone.
How can HTTPS protect user’s online security?
- HTTPS verifies that the server that you are interacting with is the true one. In addition, it ensures that the server can only read what you send it and also you are the only one who can read what it sends back.
- With the protection of HTTPS, no middle attackers are able to read or modify any of the actual data you sent although they may intercept any requests that you exchanged with the server.
- HTTPS prevents your ISP (Internet Service Provider) from seeing what pages you have visited beyond the top level of a website. For instance, they can only see that you regularly visit certain website like https://example.com, but they are not able to know that you actually dedicate time at https://example.com/details.
- HTTPS prevents hackers or phishers from viewing or modifying the requests to keep your passwords, communications, transactions and personal account details safe on the wire between your computer and the servers you want to send the data to.
- Moreover, HTTPS eliminates the possibility of unmoderated third parties to inject advertising into web content without the permission of the owner.
In brief, although HTTPS is an amazing protection for user’s online security, you still need to be savvy about your actions. Because the job of HTTPS is only to provide a secure connection environment but not guarantee that you won’t face any risks to get tricked. Actually, this is your job to defend and protect your very own online security since there will always be someone going to great lengths to trick and steal some precious things (personal data, money…etc) from you.
Image by skylarvision from Pixabay
