Port 443
HTTPS
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the encrypted version of HTTP, which enables secure communication over computer networks. It uses SSL/TLS protocols to encrypt and decrypt requests and responses between web clients and servers, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. HTTPS is the standard protocol for accessing secure websites, handling sensitive transactions, and protecting user privacy online..
Technical Details
HTTPS is an extension of HTTP designed to facilitate secure communication over a computer network. It achieves this by leveraging SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit, thereby preventing unauthorized access or tampering.
When a client initiates an HTTPS connection, it begins with a TLS handshake, establishing a secure encrypted channel before any HTTP data is transmitted. During this handshake, the server typically presents a digital certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), which authenticates the server’s identity. Once the encrypted session is established, HTTP requests and responses occur within this secure tunnel.
Commonly, HTTPS is used for any web service requiring privacy and security, such as banking, e-commerce, online login interfaces, and anywhere sensitive or private data is exchanged. SSL/TLS encrypts not only the data payload but also protects session cookies and user credentials, making HTTPS the fundamental technology underpinning secure web browsing.