HTTPS vs HTTP | Differences and Advantages.

HTTPS vs HTTP

In today’s digitally connected world, millions of online transactions happen every day. A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) has been very instrumental in securing consumer data in these transactions. Though very few may understand SSL security feature, but it is necessary to understand the difference between HTTPS vs HTTP.

The padlock icon and the websites that begin with https (instead of http), have become synonymous with secure websites. A lock icon on a website is a validation that the customer data is safe from fraudulent activities. Thus, it has been providing the security that enables organizations to offer a trusted environment to its customers.

Not just customer data, but SSL have been protecting business-critical information such as intellectual property and employee data. So much is the need that, regulatory authorities like the Payment Card Industry (PCI) have made it mandatory to have an SSL certificate.

Before you delve deeper into this let us understand few things first;

Difference between HTTP vs HTTPS

Advantage of using https

Performance impact of http vs. https

 

Difference Between HTTPS vs HTTP

HTTPS HTTP
Encryption Layer enabled No encryption layer
Data protection No protection from attackers
Ranking Boost with Google No ranking boost
Protection against Phishing Easy to replicate and thus vulnerable to phishing
Leveraged to gain customer trust Website safety cannot be leveraged
Payments Card Industry Compliance Non-compliance with Payments Card Industry regulation
Maybe slower to load only in the initial phases Faster site to load
Needs Testing after conversion to HTTPS No testing time and cost
Certification and Validation have costs associated with them No certification / validation cost
Post validation redirection needed as a one-time activity No redirections or relinking required
Chrome user friendly Chrome users get a notification about “unsecured site”

 

 

Advantage of using HTTPS

Google as well as CAB forum has been spreading the circulars for securing your URLs with HTTPS. As you already know that HTTP websites are not safe and could be a easy penetration for MITM attackers.

Following are the benefits of using HTTPS

  1. Secures your data in-transit.
  2. Protects your website from Phishing, MITM and other data breaches.
  3. Builds trust on your website visitors.
  4. Removes “NOT Secure” warnings.
  5. Help you improve website ranking.
  6. Help you boost revenue per user.

Also read: If you are business owner then read why your website need SSL certificate security

SSL Offloading Help

Performance impact of http vs. https

Browsers are our way to access any website. SSL certificate are governed by respective SSL brands (CAs), and every browser has to verify the security of the website. Browser decode every request that passes from client to server  to understand the underlying security.

A website running on HTTPS may see a negligible performance impact when accessed.

The entire process of SS handshake happens in a fraction of a second. This is how a browser understand the security of a URL. The various steps are involved in this handshake and it comprises of SSL certificate chain process.

 

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