HTTPS, otherwise known as Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is a secure communications protocol used for computer networks. It’s, basically, a more secure version of HTTP.
It exists almost as long as the Internet itself, but not that many people are aware of its existence. Those who do know about it, and are using it, often wonder if it’s really safe. Today, we are going to try and answer that question.
Furthermore, we will see what is there to know about HTTPS. And in addition to that, we’ll also talk about how you can improve your security even more. So let’s start.
What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
We have already mentioned that HTTPS means greater security. That is because it’s a connection that uses encryption. Online encryption is very useful when it comes to protecting the data flow.
When you use the internet, info is constantly circulating between the server, or a website and the user’s browser. Many online criminals (as well as advertisers) would like very much to get their hands on it. However, the encryption that HTTPS provides you with prevents that.
You can think of it as an improved version of HTTP, and that’s what it really is. It does pretty much the same thing. They both serve as an application layer protocols, and they allow access to HTML pages.
Thanks to them, you get the online information like images, text, music, videos, and anything else. The only difference is that HTTPS is more secure.
When you use it, your data travels through another type of connection, one that uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TSL (Transport Layer Security). These are security protocols, and they are the one that protects your information. You can tell that you’re on a HTTPS when there’s a little padlock next to the website’s URL.
Those who use HTTPS aren’t as likely to have their data influenced by other online forces. They’re also much better protected from online attacks. Not only that, but their traffic also goes to the legitimate website, instead of getting redirected to a malicious one.
Pretty much everyone benefits if they use HTTPS. That includes the website owners, as well as the internet users. They have really come into focus in the last several years, and the number of websites that enforce them is getting bigger and bigger.
The quality of the HTTPS, as well as the confirmation that it works, is very obvious when you look at who uses it. For example, the US government, as well as the majority of its organizations, are using HTTPS for all of their websites. Apple and Firefox are giving it their attention as well. Even Google demands that websites start switching to HTTPS as their default version.
Is it safe to visit HTTPS websites?
The answer to this isn’t as easy as yes or no. There’s no guarantee that anything you do online is safe or secure. Even HTTPS can be bypassed, so no, it’s not SAFE. However, it is much SAFER than the alternative, which is not using it.
If you want an example of how you might get infected on the site that uses HTTPS, there are plenty. Even such websites contain images, and they are part of unencrypted elements. A hacker can set a trap by connecting the image to a malicious website. Clicking on it, or downloading it can start the download of a malware as well.
There are sites that are doing everything just right, and even Google classifies them as safe and secure. However, there are also sites that are getting the security certificate, but that aren’t really safe. These sites trick Google into approving them, and you think you’re safe on them, while you’re actually not.
There are also attacks launched against servers, that don’t work with stealthy malware, or sneaky Trojans. Instead, they rely on brute force. Through the use of such attacks, hackers might get the decryption keys. This means that the entire HTTPS encryption might become useless.
Protect yourself additionally – use a VPN
Your online security isn’t something that you should risk. Start using a VPN this very day and protect yourself with several layers of protection. VPNs can mask your IP address by giving you a new one from their own, remote servers. They can use different protocols to create safe tunnels for your data to flow through. And on top of all that, they encrypt your data with the strongest encryptions.
VPNs are many in number, especially lately. Thanks to an ever-increasing number of online dangers, many forms of censorships, and way too strong surveillance methods, their popularity went through the roof. That makes the issue of choosing one a real challenge.
In order to help with that, we recommend TorGuard, IPVanish, GhostVPN, and PIA. They offer much more features than just what we mentioned earlier. That includes large networks, the best speeds, increased safety measures and much more.
Conclusion
Using HTTPS is recommendable every time, but why stop there? Do yourself a favor, and get real, quality, top level protection. It won’t even cost you much since VPNs are often below $10 per month.
Your security doesn’t have a price, and the sooner you realize how much danger you’re in, the sooner you can start dealing with it. You now know enough about online dangers, as well as ways of protection to make the right choice.
