What are HTTP and HTTPS Protocol ?

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)

HTTP stands for hyper text transfer protocol. It is invented by Tim Berner. HTTP is an application layer protocol that is particularly used for accessing and transfering data (either text, images, video, multimedia, etc) over the internet. It is a client-server protocol that runs on top of TCP/IP protocols and uses the request/response model.

HTTP uses the port number 80 for communication.

In HTTP, the client sends a request message to the server. After the client responds, HTTP establishes a TCP connection between the client and the server. HTTP delivers a request to the server, which collects the data that was requested. After the server sends the data to the client , the connection will be terminated.

It is the medium through which we communicate to the internet. Whenever any user uses the web, they are indirectly using HTTP.

Features of HTTP

• HTTP is connectionless.

• HTTP is media independent.

• HTTP is stateless.

HTTPs

HTTPs is a secure version of HTTP. It is better than HTTP that is used for providing security to the data sent over the internet. This allows transferring data in an encrypted form which is particulary important when users transmit sensitive data such as login credentials.

HTTPs uses an encryption protocol called Transport Layer Security(TSL) which is also known as Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

If any website contains http rather than https, then that website is not secure.

HTTPs uses port number 443.

Features of HTTPs

• HTTPs is secure as the plain text is encrypted.

• HTTPs is frequently used by all webs as it ensures the client its genuineness.

HTTP Vs HTTPs

• HTTP is not secure when compared to HTTPs.

• HTTP transfer plain text over the internet which can be seen by anyone whereas HTTPs converts the plain text into encrypted form.

• HTTP is fast as there is no encryption process whereas HTTPs is little slow due to exchange of encryption keys using certificates before actual data is transfered.