Computer Science – The internet and its uses | e-Consult

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web. Its primary purpose is to transfer data, such as web pages, images, and videos, between a web server and a web browser. It operates using a request-response model: the browser sends a request to the server, and the server responds with the requested data.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure version of HTTP. It provides data encryption using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols. This encryption ensures that data transmitted between the browser and the server is protected from eavesdropping and tampering.

The key difference lies in security. HTTP transmits data in plain text, meaning anyone intercepting the data can read it. HTTPS encrypts the data before transmission, making it unreadable to unauthorized parties. This is crucial for protecting sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data.

In summary:

• HTTP: Unencrypted data transfer.
• HTTPS: Encrypted data transfer, providing security and confidentiality.