Whats the differnce between http and https

[Fifteen]

Can someone explain what the difference between http and https is please

+Rep

[Alkaz]

One has an S on the end :)

Edited by Kaotix (Forum Moderator): Please don't post pointlessly.

[shizzle]

It's all about keeping you secure
HTTP stands for HyperText Transport Protocol, which is just a fancy way of saying it's a protocol (a language, in a manner of speaking) for information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients.

You really don't need to know what it all stands for; the important thing is the letter S which makes the difference between HTTP and HTTPS. The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure". You probably didn't need me to tell you that, because you already knew it had something to do with security.

If you visit a website or webpage, 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 'unsecure' 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 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.

You understand why this is so important, right? 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, there's no way you're going to enter sensitive information like a credit card number!

[benjamin]

Gutted, you beat me to it lmao.

But:

https (Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer)
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
One has an S on the end :)

[N!ck]

http is the normal protocol used for most webpages like this forum. https is an encrypted version of the http protocol used for when security is needed like when buying things over the internet.

[GommeInc]

One has an S on the end :)
lol knew someone was going to do that :P

http is for browsing the web while https is means it's secure (aparently).

http://websearch.about.com/od/dailywebsearchtips/qt/dnt0513.htm

[N!ck]

It's all about keeping you secure
HTTP stands for HyperText Transport Protocol, which is just a fancy way of saying it's a protocol (a language, in a manner of speaking) for information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients.

You really don't need to know what it all stands for; the important thing is the letter S which makes the difference between HTTP and HTTPS. The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure". You probably didn't need me to tell you that, because you already knew it had something to do with security.

If you visit a website or webpage, 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 'unsecure' 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 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.

You understand why this is so important, right? 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, there's no way you're going to enter sensitive information like a credit card number!

Nice copy and paste. At least credit the original source http://www.virtu-software.com/ask-doug/QandA.asp?subject=3&q=7

[Alkaz]

Woo im famous.

Edited by Kaotix (Forum Moderator): Please don't post pointlessly.

[e5]

Probably already answered but https is a secure site. Such as when buying games online your address bar will go yellow and it will says https :P

[shizzle]

Nice copy and paste. At least credit the original source http://www.virtu-software.com/ask-doug/QandA.asp?subject=3&q=7
Mb. Thanks for going it then.

[Jordy]

Nice copy and paste. At least credit the original source http://www.virtu-software.com/ask-doug/QandA.asp?subject=3&q=7Ha Ha they don't even know what http stands for, so I never thought for a second it's of been copied and pasted.

[joshuar]

Also with more modern browsers (IE7) the top bar goes green when your on a https to let you know its secure.

[shizzle]

Ha Ha they don't even know what http stands for, so I never thought for a second it's of been copied and pasted.
I actually do know these basics thank you very much. I didn't feel like summarising it.

[---MAD---]

Aren't https connections encrypted?

[e5]

Aren't https connections encrypted?
All I know is that when using Paypal or whatever it goes yellow and I know it means it's secure. As I've said in a previous post :P

[7]

basically like people said, its a secured connection :)

[Hazza]

basically like people said, its a secured connection :)
Yeah.
Its like if your entering any personal details etc.

[Xeros]

https is usually a secure server n usually has a lock sign

this just makes its secure via vescure etc

[Fugato]

HTTPS: HyperText Transfer Protocol (Secure)

HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol.

HTTPS usually has a SSL certificate too.

[shizzle]

Yeah.
Its like if your entering any personal details etc.
EG; Habbo.

[Colin-Roberts]

Https has alot of levels of encryption from 128 bit to 256 bit and much more both ways

[Florx]

Aren't https connections encrypted?

Yup 128bit encryption. You need an SSL certificate.