Difference between HTTP and HTTPS: Meaning, Key Feature & Difference

Communication between browsers and servers channelizes through HTTP or HTTPS requests.

HTTP is the abbreviation which stands for hypertext transfer protocol, and it gives the needed guidelines which determine how the transmission of any information takes place on the web.

HTTPS also does the same functioning but through cryptographic protocols like SSL or TLS.

So, HTTPS can be understood as- HTTP+ Cryptographic Protocols.

Let us now do the in-depth analysis of HTTP Vs. HTTPS concept-

HTTP vs HTTPS – Introduction

Whenever you are searching for a website, you must have seen that the URL consists of HTTP or https right at the beginning. If you do not find anyone of them, then it is mostly the HTTP which has not been mentioned.

All in all, both of the protocols uses the information of the website, but the extra S in the https makes sure that Information sharing is safe and secure as compared to the HTTP.

These Protocols are used to provide some standard rules for all the web browsers as well as a service to communicate with each other, and it is one of the best application layer network protocols that has been built on the base of TCP.

What is HTTP?

Http uses the hypertext structured text which creates the bridge between the nodes comprising of the text. Http is also known as a stateless protocol because each of the commands is executed in a segmented manner without the trace of the previous command.

Http has been one of the most popular and widely used protocols for the data transfer because of its simplicity and ease in implementation. You should know that the hypertext which is transferred using the HTTP is absolutely a plain text that can be read very easily if there is any kind of intersection between the exchanges of data.

Need for security with HTTP?

We do need security over the website because now even the monetary transactions are becoming digital, and to host any kind of E-commerce website, the payment gateway needs to be secured.

This ensures that when the subsequent data transfer is done, then every transfer has maximum privacy so that no one can hack or steal the information.

As mentioned above, https is equivalent to HTTP + some cryptographic protocols, so that maximum security can be achieved and public key infrastructure is used along with the collaboration of private key infrastructure.

The distribution of the public key is determined by the certificates which are maintained by the web browser, and you will be able to check the certification in the browser settings only. Here if we talk about some basic level of difference between HTTP and HTTPS, then there is a very syntactic point of difference between the HTTP and https-

• Http uses port 80, where is https uses 443.
• You should understand that HTTP works on the application layer and https works on the transport layer.
• Very low security is achievable in HTTP while in https the security is maximum.

Let us now have a look upon HTTPS in a more comprehensive manner-

What is https?

Https stands for hypertext transfer protocol secure, and it is a highly encrypted and secured version of the HTTP. It has port number 443 and is used for data communication most securely and interestingly because the entire communication happens with SSL.

It is a collaboration of the SSL or TLS protocol and the HTTP. It gives the interested and absolutely secure identification of the network server.

Http is also the system which helps you in creating a secure and encrypted connection and also the bridge between the server and the browser. It is two-way security of the data so that every kind of sensitive information and confidential data can be stored without the fear of being stolen or hacked.

In the https protocol, the SSL transactions are happening with the help of key-based encrypting techniques. In general, the key strength is 40 or 128 bits.

HTTPS has three types of SSL or TLS Certificates

1) Domain Validation

This is the kind of validation that shows that the person who applies for the certificate is the one that stands as the owner of the domain name. This kind of certification can take from a few minutes to a few hours.

2) Organization validation

This kind of certification authority not only helps in validating the domain ownership but also the identity of the owner. Therefore he or she should we able to provide the personal ID proof documents.

3) Extended validation

This is the best level of validation because it requires the validation of the ownership of the domain along with the identity of owner and registration proof of the business.

Knowing the difference between HTTP and HTTPS will get more alleviated once you know their key features. So, now, we will be delving respectively into the key features of HTTP and HTTPS-

Key Features of HTTP

One of the best features of Http is its ability to work with the other protocols of the internet with the utmost ease. It can also be used on other networks with similar efficiency. Http pages are easily and quickly accessible because they kept in the computer and the internet caches.

Being platform-independent is again a prime feature of HTTP that enables users to do cross-platform porting. Http does not require any kind of runtime support, plus even if your browser has Firewall then also you will be able to use HTTP.

Http is never connection-oriented so that you will be able to create and maintain the state and information of the sessions

Key Features of HTTPS

Generally, https will have the best redirection, so that you can have the transfer of data in a secure connection. HTTPS helps in performing the E-Commerce transactions in the most encrypted and secure manner so that the online banking information is never lost or stolen

HTTPS comprises SSL Technology that is useful in building the trust of the users. Https uses an independent authority to verify the identity of the certificate owner so that authentic information is transferred over the browser

Major differences between the HTTP and https can be understood by comparing both on different grounds. So, we will now be comparing HTTP and HTTPS based on different features-

Difference between HTTP and HTTPS on different Parameters

1) On the basis of protocol

• Http is a hypertext transfer protocol
• Https is hypertext transfer protocol with secure

2) Based on security

• Http is very less secure, and hackers can easily hack HTTP sites
• Https has been designed so that the hackers can be prevented and it is secure

3) On the basis of Port

• Http uses port number 80
• Https uses port number 443

4) On the basis of websites starting

• The website starts with HTTP://
• The website starts with https://

5) On the basis of scrambling

• Http does not help in scrambling the data that needs to be transferred; that is why the intact data is available to the hackers.
• Https scrambles the data before the transmission is done which is why the information becomes secure and un-hackable

6) On the basis of protocol

• The HTTP functions on the TCP or IP level
• No, any segregated protocol is there for HTTPS. It functions through HTTP by using the TLS or SSL connection for encryption

7) On the basis of domain name validation

• Http website does not need the SSL certificate for validation
• Https website definitely needs an SSL certificate for the validation

8) On the basis of data encryption

• Http website does not incorporate any encryption
• Https website definitely comprise the data encryption

9) Based on search ranking

• Never expect any improvement in Search Ranking with Http sites
• With Https sites, you can definitely expect better search engine ranking

10) On the basis of speed

• Http makes website speed faster
• Https is slower than the HTTP

11) Downsides or Restrictions

In addition to the different features and benefits of HTTP and HTTPS, there are some restrictions that both of these protocols face. Let us have a look at those as well-

a) Downsides of HTTP

Anyone can see the content that is being shared, so you will not get any sort of privacy with HTTP. Data integrity can be a problem because content can be altered.

If anybody intercepts the request, then the username and password can be availed by the interceptor.

b) Downsides of the https

Https won’t be able to eliminate the chances of stealing the important information if the sites pages are cached on your browser. HTTPS can be a reason behind the network and computational overhead.

Encryption of SSL data occurs during transmission, so HTTPS will not be able to clear the text in the memory of the browser.

Wrapping it Up!

As an overview, we can say that HTTP can be used with the other protocols of the internet, whereas https can be used for secure E-Commerce transactions and online banking.

Not only that, https is far more secure than the HTTP protocols.

Based on vulnerability, Http is very vulnerable to hackers while on the other hand, Https is absolutely secure, and the data is encrypted. HTTPS also offers better SEO Compatibility and ensures better search engine ranking for the websites.