What is HTTP?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol is also known as HTTP full form that was invented in 1990 by Tim Berners-Lee at the CERN Laboratories in Geneva, Switzerland. Now, it is the foundation of the World Wide Web and the Hypertext Markup Language or HTML. There are three versions of HTTP that were developed: 0.9, 1.0 and 1.1. 1.0 and 1.1 are commonly used today.
It means when you enter a URL in your browser, then it actually sends an HTTP command to the web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested web page. It is designed to document network elements to enable communications between clients and servers.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS is the more secure version of HTTP. The S actually means secure that will secure the communication between browser and website. It is mostly used for confidential online transaction such as online banking websites and online shopping orders. The main purpose of this is to provide security by keeping all the personal things hide.
Advantages and Disadvantages of HTTPS
There might be a lot of advantages and disadvantages of HTTPS that are discussed below. Many of the people might not be aware of these pros. If you are one of them, then these points will definitely help you out.
Data Encryption
HTTP does not encrypt the data while transferring data between server and client. So, if anyone interrupts in between data can be exposed to the hacker.
On the other hand, data transfer over HTTPS gets encrypted. Even if the hacker gets the data while data transfer, they cannot do anything as information is already encrypted.
Data Protection
HTTP saves data on the client’s system that you are using, especially when you are using it at any café or working space. This does not provide surety about personal work.
But HTTPS, on the other hand, does not save any kind of data on the client’s system, and this is the best thing to secure your data.
Server Authentication
While using HTTP, you will find a padlock in the address bar. If you will click on, that means you will get the authentication of your server. Now, you can check out all the data that are stored on your system with official certificates and permission allowed to access the system.
The safest thing is that, if a certificate and website’s policies mismatched, then it will give an authentication error that will let you know that there is an unsecured connection and ask for the permission to proceed.
On the other hand, HTTPS allows you to leave before serving any personal data to invalided server.
Handshaking Issue While Data Transferring
When transferring data from HTTP, the protocol is used to transfer without handshaking.
While working from HTTPS, handshaking needs to be done. It checks the validation of data transfers and components. Including sender, receiver and all components. If the process of confirmation become successful, then the data transfer will occur. If you find any validation fails, then it aborts all the data transfer activity.
Search Engine Visibility
HTTPS gets more preference than HTTP for search engine visibility by Google and other search engines.
If you are building a website to deal with essential data like money transfer, username and password, then you should consider using HTTPS as compared to HTTP.
Disadvantages of Using HTTPS
There is only one disadvantage of using HTTPS instead of HTTP is that it include the extra overhead of data transfer. As overhead include encrypt and decrypt the data, additional header input for encrypted data, and handshaking before transferring actual data.
So, if you are one who is creating a website which has fixed contents or not having any private data transfer, you can go for the HTTP.
Moreover, you have to pay for the SSL certificate if you are going to use HTTPS.
Which One to Choose HTTP or HTTPS
It’s totally up to you which one you want to choose.
If security is your first priority, then HTTPS is the best option. It will definitely secure your data and keep all the things confidential.
But if your website does not deal with any secure or private data, then it is great to use HTTP. Moreover, you don’t need to buy an SSL certificate and also leave extra overhead data.
