Internet Science Popularization Series - What are HTTP and HTTPS?

Hello everyone! Today we're going to talk about two terms we often encounter when browsing the internet: HTTP and HTTPS. They sound a bit technical, but they're actually like sending regular mail and registered mail in our daily lives – one is ordinary, the other is secure. Don't worry, today we'll explain them in the simplest terms!

1. What is a Transmission Protocol? – The "Postman" of the Internet

Imagine you want to send a letter to a friend far away. This letter needs to go through the post office, postal workers, and various means of transportation before finally reaching your friend. During this process, there's a set of rules, such as how to address the envelope, how to stamp it, and how the postal worker delivers it. These rules are called "protocols."

On the internet, our computers and servers also need to "communicate," that is, transmit information. For example, when you open a webpage, your computer needs to "fetch" the webpage content from the server. This "rule" for transmitting information is called a transmission protocol.

HTTP and HTTPS are two different transmission protocols. They are like the "postmen" of the internet, responsible for safely and accurately delivering information from one place to another.

2. The Uses of HTTP Connections – Unhindered "Ordinary Mail"

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is also known as the "Hypertext Transfer Protocol." It's like the "ordinary mail" we send every day.

Uses:

• Browsing webpages: When you type a website address into your browser and press Enter, your computer sends a request to the server via the HTTP protocol. After receiving the request, the server "sends" the webpage content (text, images, videos, etc.) back via the HTTP protocol, and then your browser can display the webpage!
• Downloading files: Many times, when we download software, pictures, or music, it's also done through the HTTP protocol.

Advantages and Characteristics:

• Simple and fast: The HTTP protocol is relatively simple and transmits data quickly because it doesn't require additional encryption and decryption.
• Widely used: Almost all websites support HTTP; it's the most basic protocol for internet access.

3. Characteristics of HTTP Traffic – "Transparent" Mail

Since it's ordinary mail, its content is open and transparent. Features:

• Plaintext Transmission: When you enter your username and password or submit form information in your browser, this data is transmitted over the network in plaintext. This is like writing your bank card password on a postcard and mailing it – anyone who intercepts the letter can see its contents.
• Vulnerable to Eavesdropping: If someone "listens in" on the network (for example, in a public Wi-Fi environment), they can easily see all the information you transmit, including your username, password, browsing history, etc.
• Vulnerable to Tampering: Similarly, malicious actors in the middle can modify the information you send or receive, such as changing text on a webpage or secretly adding something to a file you download.

Therefore, although HTTP is convenient, it is not very secure when dealing with sensitive information.

4. HTTP vs. HTTPS – The Battle of "Ordinary Mail" and "Encrypted Registered Mail"

Now let's compare HTTP and HTTPS.

Simply put, HTTPS adds a layer of "encryption protection" on top of HTTP, like upgrading ordinary mail to "encrypted registered mail."

5. Characteristics of HTTPS Traffic – The "Encrypted" Registered Mail

HTTPS is secure because it uses the SSL/TLS protocol (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security protocol) to encrypt data. Features:

• Encrypted Transmission: All information you enter in your browser is encrypted into a string of gibberish before being sent to the server. Only the server possesses the key to "decrypt" this gibberish back into the original information. The same applies in reverse; information sent back from the server is also encrypted.
• Authentication: HTTPS also verifies the server's identity, ensuring you are accessing the genuine website, not a fake one. This is like registered mail requiring a recipient's signature for confirmation, preventing you from being scammed.
• Data Integrity: HTTPS also guarantees that data is not tampered with during transmission. If someone attempts to modify the data, the recipient will detect it and refuse to accept it.

Advantages and Characteristics:

• High Security: Effectively prevents data from being eavesdropped on, tampered with, and forged, protecting users' privacy and financial security.
• High Trust: Browsers will label HTTPS websites as "secure" (e.g., displaying a lock icon), giving users more peace of mind.
• Search Engine Optimization: Search engines (such as Baidu and Google) favor HTTPS websites and give them higher rankings.

6. The Use of HTTPS Connections – The "Guardian Angel" of Secure Online Browsing

HTTPS connections are mainly used in scenarios that require protecting user privacy and data security:

• Online Banking and Payments: Protects your bank account, password, and transaction information.
• Online Shopping: Protects your credit card information, shipping address, etc.
• Social Media and Email Login: Protects your account password and personal information.
• Any website that requires users to enter sensitive information: Such as registering an account, filling out personal information, etc.

7. Summary – Choose Security, Starting with "S"! | Aspect | HTTP | HTTPS |

|---|---|---| | Security | Insecure, data transmitted in plain text | Secure, data transmitted with encryption | | Usage | General web browsing | Transmission of sensitive information (banking, shopping, login, etc.) | | Browser Display | May display "Not Secure" | Displays a "lock" icon, indicating security | | Recommendation | Avoid entering sensitive information on HTTP websites | Prioritize using HTTPS websites for sensitive operations |

In short, HTTP is like having a casual conversation on the street, where everyone can hear the content; while HTTPS is like having a conversation in a private room, where only the participants know the content.

In today's information-rich era, protecting personal information is crucial. So, next time you're browsing the internet, if you see https:// at the beginning of the website address and a small lock icon, it means you're using a more secure connection and can proceed with greater peace of mind! Remember, an extra "S" means extra security!