Https
HTTPS is essentially an extension of HTTP, which stands for
hypertext transfer protocol. While standard HTTP is non-secure, HTTPS
connections are encrypted, using industrial strength SSL encryption. With a
normal HTTP connection, people are able to intercept material that is sent from
a server to a web client. When HTTPS is used, the data can still be
intercepted. However, with HTTPS, the material is encrypted, so it cannot be
read, unless the person who wants to read it can break the encryption.
HTTPS is commonly used in many web applications, where data
must be transferred securely between a web server and a web client. There are
many sensitive data types that require a HTTPS connection, such as credit card
or other financial information. In fact, banks routinely use HTTPS connections
for internet banking applications.
Today, most common browsers support HTTPS by default. Industrial
strength encryption can now be obtained in most developed countries. However,
for a long time HTTPS was surrounded by some controversy. Government
departments were trying to block export of industrial strength encryption
products. Thus, outside of the United States HTTPS was officially only
available in low level encryption.
