From entertainment to internet banking websites, most platforms are using HTTPS instead of HTTP today. It’s a kind of safety protocol that ensures the related website is using safe, encrypted data protection. Of course, all of this is beneficial for both the providers’ and visitors’ sake.
When you visit a certain website with this protocol, you’ll be entering a platform that uses a safer, encrypted protocol, which is considerably safer compared to a non-encrypted one. If a website does use HTTPS, you can see a padlock icon right beside its address.
Despite its popularity, some people are still wondering whether HTTPS is actually secure or not. In short, it is actually secure, especially if you compare it with the other previous protocols.
When properly implemented, this protocol can be a neat way to ensure that users will access a legitimate website that truly respects their data privacy.
Other than that, there are some other things you need to know as well about HTTPS, along with the differences from HTTP. See more below!
Is It Actually Secure?
As we know that HTTPS is secure, you’d probably like to know how secure it actually is as well. Well, HTTPS has been known to be the most secure as it can protect both parties through using a channeled and encrypted protocol.
Since it has been the popular option chosen by stakeholders as it can effectively ensure extra safety, the US federal government also had the same idea and went even further by making a certain rule that all federal sites have to use HTTPS.
If you look at the data, HTTPS is indeed the safest choice and has been used by 94% of desktops and 93% of mobile connections. Up to 89.3% of internet home pages from desktop and 85% of mobile pages are served through HTTPS.
Yes, HTTPS can be a prove that a website is actually legitimate. You don’t have to worry much if the website actually has the padlock icon.
However, if you desire more safety, you can also use a dedicated IP. A dedicated IP VPN can provide better accessibility for certain online services or websites. Although it can be a bit pricey, it’s certainly worth every penny, remembering the many benefits you may obtain from it. So, we highly recommend using a service that’s reputable to make sure you get the best quality out of it.
HTML & HTTP VS HTTPS
HTML was the protocol that most websites used before the arrival of HTTPS. Between the two, of course, HTTPS is much safer as it uses digital certifications and an encrypted connection. Any incoming or outgoing information will be encrypted as well.
Another notable difference is the port usage. While HTML uses port 80, HTTPS uses port 443, which becomes the standard port for this protocol.
The reason why people consider HTTPS to be a better option is because of its ability to encrypt information. This couldn’t be found on HTTP, the previous and older version of this protocol.
When a website activates the HTTPS protocol, any important information, including the account details will be harder to be intercepted by outside parties. As HTTP doesn’t have any of those encryption features, it’s basically more risky to use as any outgoing or incoming information can be intercepted mid-way.
Is It The Best Time to Use HTTPS?
If your site doesn’t have this protocol enabled, we highly advise you to do so. Why? Because most visitors would generally avoid websites that don’t use HTTPS, remembering that the other protocols are more risky compared to it.
A website that still uses older protocols is more prone to cybersecurity risks, especially data stealing. When a problem like this happens, it will be hard for website owners. They will eventually lose the integrity and trust of the visitors.
As the information can be easily intercepted, it could also pose a danger to the visitors as their data can be easily stolen without their knowledge. Losing an account alone would feel terrible, just imagine what would you feel if you lost your essential private data like your credit card number, social number, etc.
So, to be far away from those dangerous cybersecurity risks, it’s better for you to activate this protocol now. As there are so many tutorials you can follow out there, changing your protocol from HTTP to HTTPS won’t be such a hard task.
With some simple steps to take, you can make your website safer and more reputable to gain more visitors. Your audiences may feel safer, and you, as the owner, can also rest easy, knowing that you can always provide a safer platform.