So you’ve heard of HTTP and HTTPs, but what’s the difference? Is one really that different than the other? What are the benefits of switching to HTTPS?

HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a system for transmitting and receiving information across the Internet. HTTP is an “application layer protocol,” meaning that it’s primary target is how the content is presented to the user.

HTTP is basically a system that formats and transmits messages. These messages tell web browsers such as Google how to respond to certain commands. By entering a web address in your browser, you are sending an HTTP command straight to the browser telling it to transmit the requested website.

The most common use of HTTP is through accessing html web pages. We should acknowledge that HTTP allows other resources to be used when using it. Each HTTP command is done independently, meaning that it does not store any information from previous commands. Because of this, HTTP is known as a stateless protocol. Most websites, who did not store important information such as passwords and credit card information, would generally use HTTP to set up their web pages.

HTTPS: Secure HyperText Transfer Protocol

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is the secure version of HTTP. HTTPS was created to allow secured transactions and credibility. When submitting valuable information to web pages, it is important to recognize its security to prevent unauthorized access.

Essentially, HTTPS is identical to HTTP because it follows the same basic protocols. However, https offers an extra layer of security because it uses SSL to move data. However, the great difference between the two is that HTTPS works in conjunction with the protocol SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to transport data safely and add an extra layer of security to the web page.

Which is Better?

In regards to security, HTTPS allows the browser to recognize the information in the certificate and verify the website’s identity. For this reason alone, HTTPS is the safer and better option!

With HTTPS, a user or customer can recognize the website’s credibility and provide their information with confidence. Because of this credibility, businesses can then become active in electronic commerce.

HTTPS is not only beneficial for security reasons, but also because there are major SEO benefits. Web browsers such as Google claim that websites who use HTTPS have a ranking benefit. Because of this ranking advantage, HTTPS will benefit all companies, confidential information or not.

For more information on how to get your websites secure and credible, Red Shark Digital is here to help. Visit our website to learn more about our digital marketing solutions and contact us to get started today!

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