What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS

Core Difference

HTTP transmits data in plaintext. HTTPS wraps HTTP inside TLS (formerly SSL), encrypting the payload and verifying the server's identity via certificates.

Security

HTTPS prevents eavesdropping and tampering. Attackers on the same network cannot read passwords, session tokens, or personal data when TLS is active. This protection is critical for defeating man-in-the-middle attacks; see what is a man-in-the-middle attack and how to prevent it.

Performance

Modern TLS is fast. HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 require HTTPS in most browsers, offering multiplexing and header compression that outperform HTTP/1.1.

SEO and Trust

Search engines rank HTTPS sites higher. Browsers display padlock icons for HTTPS and warnings for HTTP, affecting user trust and conversion rates.

Migration

Acquire a certificate, configure your server, redirect HTTP to HTTPS, and update internal links. For certificate setup, see how to set up SSL/TLS certificates for a web server. For DNS prerequisites, how to configure DNS records helps point domains correctly.