HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol your browser uses to communicate with websites. It’s like sending a sealed, verified envelope instead of a postcard.

🧩 What HTTPS Does

• Encrypts data between your browser and the website so no one can eavesdrop
• Authenticates the website to ensure you’re talking to the real one, not an imposter
• Protects integrity, meaning the data isn’t tampered with during transmission

🛠️ How It Works

• Uses TLS (Transport Layer Security)—formerly SSL—to encrypt communication
• Relies on digital certificates issued by trusted authorities to verify a site’s identity
• Creates a secure channel over an insecure network (like public Wi-Fi)

🔒 Real-World Example

Imagine logging into your bank account:

• With HTTP, your username and password could be intercepted
• With HTTPS, they’re scrambled into unreadable code before being sent

🧠 Why It Matters

• Modern browsers flag non-HTTPS sites as “Not Secure”
• HTTPS is essential for protecting sensitive data like passwords, credit card info, and personal messages
• It’s now standard for nearly all reputable websites