Thursday, October 17, 2013

Difference between http and https

GREAT information!
 
Once in a while, there is something that comes down the pike that is of real importance. What is the difference between http and https?
 
Don't know how many of you are aware of this difference, but it is worth sending to any who do not.

The main difference between http:// and https:// is it's all about keeping you secure. HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.
 
The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure." If you visit a website or web page, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following: http:///.

This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular "unsecured" language. In other words, it is possible for someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site.
 
This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an http website! But if the web address begins with https://, that basically means your computer is talking to
the website in a secure code that no
one can eavesdrop on.

 
If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https://.

If it doesn't, you should NEVER enter sensitive information...such as a credit card number, SS #, etc.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

there is nothing secure anymore

Toad said...

Http:// Thank you very much.

OrbsCorbs said...

Thanks, SER. I didn't know that.