Introduction
As a beginner, understanding the basics of HTTP and HTTPS can be a bit overwhelming. However, with a bit of background knowledge, you'll be able to understand how these protocols work and why they are important.
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It's like a language that helps your web browser (like Chrome or Firefox) talk to web servers (like Apache or Nginx) and ask for things like web pages or files.
It's like when you go to a store and ask the storekeeper for a specific item, the storekeeper would understand what you want and give it to you, that's how the communication happens between browser and server using HTTP
Importance of Understanding the difference
Understanding the difference between HTTP and HTTPS is important for:
Ensuring website security and data privacy
Improving search engine rankings
Building user trust
Meeting industry compliance standards
Showing browser indication of secure connection.
Understanding HTTP
HTTP, or "Hypertext Transfer Protocol" is like the "please" and "thank you" of the internet. It's the way your computer (the "client") talks to websites (the "server") and asks for things like web pages or files.
When you want to visit a website, your computer sends an HTTP request message to the server. It's like you walking up to a store clerk and saying "Excuse me, can I please have this product?" the request message includes elements like:
A method (like GET or POST) that is like asking "Can I have this?" or "Can I add this?"
A URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is like the product you're asking for.
headers (like the Accept-Language or User-Agent) that give extra information about your request, like "I prefer English" or "I'm using Chrome browser"
The server then processes your request and sends back an HTTP response message, It's like the store clerk saying "Sure, here you go" the response message includes elements like:
A status code (like 200 OK or 404 Not Found) which is like the store clerk saying "Sure, here you go" or "I'm sorry, we don't have that"
headers (like the Content-Type or Location) that give extra information about the response, like "This is a webpage" or "You can find it here"
a body, which is the actual product (the webpage or file) you asked for.
So, in summary, HTTP is like the polite conversation between your computer and a website, it helps your computer understand what it's asking for and what it's getting in return
Understanding HTTPS
HTTPS, short for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is like the bodyguard of the internet. It's the way your computer (the "client") talks to websites (the "server") and asks for things like web pages or files, but with an added layer of protection.
Just like when you have a fancy event and you have a bodyguard to keep you safe, HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt the data being transmitted, so that only the intended recipient can read it. This way, if anyone tries to intercept the data, all they'll see is gibberish.
When you want to visit a website that uses HTTPS, your computer sends an HTTPS request message to the SSL/TLS server. It's like you walking up to a velvet rope and saying "Excuse me, can I please have this product? and showing the VIP pass" the request message is then encrypted by the SSL/TLS server before being forwarded to the website's server. The server then decrypts the message and processes the request as normal. The response is then encrypted by the SSL/TLS server before being sent back to the client.
In summary, HTTPS is like the VIP treatment of the internet, it helps keep your data secure and private while you browse the web.
SSL & TLS in HTTPS
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are protocols that provide secure communication over networks, such as the internet. They use a combination of public and private key encryption to secure data being transmitted between a web server and a web client, such as a web browser. The primary purpose of SSL/TLS is to encrypt sensitive information, such as login credentials and credit card numbers so that it cannot be intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
When a user connects to a website using HTTPS, the web server and the user's web browser first establish a secure SSL/TLS connection. This is done by the browser sending a "handshake" message to the server, which includes information about the SSL/TLS version and encryption methods that the browser supports. The server then responds with a "handshake" message of its own, which includes a digital certificate that the browser can use to verify the identity of the server. Once the SSL/TLS connection is established, the browser and server can then securely exchange information.
In summary, HTTPS uses SSL/TLS to encrypt data transmitted between web server and browser, protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure communication.
Decoding Responses
When you visit a website, your computer sends a request to the website's server asking for the information you want to see. The server then sends a response back to your computer with the information you requested.
The response is like a package that the server sends back to you, it has a few parts:
A code that tells you if the request was successful or if there was an error (like a "success" or "error" message).
Some extra information about the response (like what type of information is in the response).
The actual information you requested (like the webpage you wanted to see).
It's important to note that the information in this package is not secret, so anyone who intercepts the response can read the information.
In HTTPS (HTTP Secure), the response is also a message sent by a web server to a client in response to a request, but it is encrypted so that it can't be read by anyone who intercepts it. This makes sure that your personal information stays private and secure.
The response package in HTTPS is similar to the one in HTTP, it also includes a code that tells you if the request was successful or not, some extra information about the response, and the actual information you requested, but the package is encrypted making it more secure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, think of HTTP as a regular postcard and HTTPS as a sealed envelope. Just like how anyone can read a postcard, anyone can read information sent through HTTP. But with HTTPS, the information is sealed tight like a secret message, ensuring that only the intended recipient (the website's server) can read it. So next time you're browsing the internet, look for the little padlock icon and the "HTTPS" in the URL to make sure your information is kept under wraps. Remember, "S" in HTTPS stands for "secure", and nobody wants to share their secrets with just anyone