What is HTTP?
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for transmitting data on the web. It was first introduced in 1991 and has since become the standard for transmitting data on the internet.
HTTP is a client-server protocol, which means that a client, such as a web browser, sends a request to a server, and the server responds with the requested data. The request and response are both formatted using HTTP messages, which consist of a header and a body.
The header of an HTTP message contains information about the request or response, such as the type of request (e.g., GET, POST), the format of the data being transmitted (e.g., text, image, video), and the status code of the response (e.g., 200 OK, 404 Not Found).
The body of an HTTP message contains the actual data being transmitted, such as the HTML code of a web page or the contents of a file.
HTTP operates on port 80 by default, but it can also use other ports. It is important to note that HTTP does not provide any security or encryption for the data being transmitted, so it is vulnerable to tampering and hacking if the data being transmitted contains sensitive information.
Overall, HTTP is a simple and flexible protocol that has become the backbone of the web and is used by millions of websites every day to transmit data.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure version of the HTTP protocol used for transmitting data on the web. It is designed to provide a secure and encrypted communication channel between a client (such as a web browser) and a server.
When users visit an HTTPS website, their browser establishes a secure connection with the website’s server. This secure connection, known as an SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security) connection, is established using a combination of public key cryptography and symmetric key cryptography.
Once the secure connection is established, all data transmitted between the browser and the server is encrypted, making it much harder for third parties to intercept and read the data. This encryption helps to protect sensitive information, such as passwords and financial data, from being intercepted by hackers.
In addition to providing encryption, HTTPS also provides authentication. This means that the user can be sure that they are communicating with the website they intended to communicate with, and not with a fraudulent website posing as the original. This is achieved through the use of digital certificates, which are issued by trusted third-party organizations called Certificate Authorities (CAs). HTTPS operates on port 443 by default, but it can also use other ports. In summary, HTTPS is an important protocol that provides a secure and encrypted communication channel for transmitting sensitive information on the web.
Here is a comparison of HTTP and HTTPS in detail, in table format:
| Feature | HTTP | HTTPS |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To transmit data between a client and a server | To transmit encrypted data between a client and a server to ensure the security and privacy of the data |
| Security | No encryption of data | Data is encrypted using SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security) |
| Authentication | No authentication of server | The server is authenticated using a digital certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) |
| Data integrity | No guarantee of data integrity, can be tampered with | Data integrity is guaranteed through encryption, by using checksums and message authentication codes |
| Data Confidentiality | Data transmitted can be intercepted and read by third parties | Data transmitted is protected by encryption and cannot be easily intercepted or read by third parties |
| Port | Uses port 80 by default | Uses port 443 by default |
| URL | Begins with “http://” | Begins with “https://” |
| Trustworthiness | Not suitable for sensitive information | Ideal for sensitive information |
| Browsers’ behaviour | Can display a “Not Secure” warning | Generally displays a padlock icon indicating a secure connection |
In conclusion, HTTPS provides a more secure and private communication channel for transmitting data on the web compared to HTTP. It is particularly important for websites that handle sensitive information, such as financial information, passwords, and personal information, to use HTTPS to ensure the security and privacy of their users’ data.
What is Private and Public key in HTTPS?
In HTTPS, the private key and public key play a crucial role in establishing a secure connection between a client and a server. The private key and public key are part of a public key cryptography system, also known as asymmetric cryptography, used to secure the communication between the client and server.
A private key is a secret key that is used to decrypt encrypted data and sign digital signatures. The private key is kept secret by the owner and should never be shared with anyone.
A public key, on the other hand, is a key that can be used to encrypt data and verify digital signatures. The public key can be freely shared with anyone and is used to encrypt data that can only be decrypted by the owner of the corresponding private key.
In HTTPS, the server has a private key and a public key, and the client has a copy of the server’s public key. When a client establishes a connection with the server, the server presents its public key to the client. The client then uses the server’s public key to encrypt the data it sends to the server. The server can use its private key to decrypt the data.
The public key also plays a crucial role in server authentication. During the SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security) handshaking process, the server presents a digital certificate to the client, which contains the server’s public key and information about the server’s identity. The client verifies the certificate and the public key to ensure that it is communicating with the correct server and not with a malicious server posing as the original.
