To protect user data, the HTTPS protocol was developed – a technology that has become a mandatory standard for any web resource. In this article, we explain what HTTPS is, how it works, and why a modern website without HTTPS risks losing visitor trust and positions in search results.
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HTTPS: What is it and why does your website need it?
On many commercial and informational sites, users leave personal information: logins and passwords, phone numbers, email addresses and bank card details. If this information is transmitted “as is” unprotected, it can be intercepted and used for fraudulent purposes. To avoid this, the secure HTTPS protocol was created.
What is HTTPS and how is it different from HTTP?
HTTP is the underlying protocol Browser exchanges data with server. In the classic version, the information is in an open form: you can see it and change it if necessary. HTTPS is the same as HTTP but has an additional layer of encryption. SSL/TLS technologies are used, which convert the data into an encrypted character set that can only be understood by your browser and the site server.
This means that an external observer cannot understand the content of the request: what data you enter in the form, what pages you access and what information you submit. The browser marks such a connection with a padlock symbol and the prefix https:// in the address bar. This indicates that the channel is secure and the website has passed the security certificate verification.
How HTTPS provides security
HTTPS security is based on three main principles.
Data protection
All information is encrypted. Even if an attacker intercepts the traffic, he will only see an unreadable character set and no logins, passwords or card details.
Authenticity of the website
The resource has an SSL/TLS certificate issued by a reputable certificate authority. The browser verifies this certificate and ensures that you are communicating exactly with the server specified in the address bar.
Integrity of the transmitted data
Verification mechanisms can detect an attempt to change information on the go. If someone tampers with the data flow, the connection is considered insecure and the browser warns the user.
Thanks to these mechanisms, HTTPS significantly reduces the risk of interception, replacement and theft of sensitive information – from passwords and personal data to payment details.
Why is it important for websites to switch to HTTPS?
Using a secure protocol is crucial not only for online shops and banks. Even an ordinary corporate website with a feedback form processes personal data and is therefore responsible for its security.
Top reasons for switching to HTTPS
User trust
Modern browsers mark websites without encryption as “unsafe” and display clear warnings. This deters visitors, increases bounce rates, and decreases conversions. The presence of HTTPS, on the other hand, increases the feeling of resource reliability.
Reputation and data protection
An information leak or a successful attack over an unsecured connection can lead to financial losses, customer complaints and problems with regulators. HTTPS reduces the risk of such incidents.
Technical and marketing advantages
Search engines take HTTPS into account when ranking, and many modern technologies (e.g. HTTP/2 and some browser features) are only available on secure websites. This affects loading speed, stability and SEO results.
How to connect HTTPS to your website
To transfer a site to a secure protocol you need:
- Get an SSL/TLS certificate – free (e.g. Let’s Encrypt) or paid if you need advanced verification and display of legal information about the company.
- Install a certificate on your hosting or server. Most providers offer step-by-step instructions and automatic setup.
- Configure the site to work over HTTPS: enable redirection from http:// to https://, update internal links and take into account the features of caching and working with external resources.
- Check the result: no errors in the browser, correct functioning of the forms, no mixed content (if some resources are loaded via HTTP).
Today, switching to HTTPS is no longer an “optional option” but a fundamental standard. It helps protect users, improves a website’s search rankings, and increases brand trust. Therefore, any project that cares about its image and the safety of its audience should make a secure connection a mandatory part of its technical infrastructure.
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