The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the protocol used for browsing websites.
HTTP is the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web. It allows web browsers and servers to communicate with each other, enabling users to access and interact with web pages, images, videos, and other resources. When you type a website address into your browser (e.g., "www.example.com"), your browser sends an HTTP request to the server hosting that website. The server then responds with the requested data, which your browser displays as a webpage.
While HTTP is the primary protocol, HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is a secure version of HTTP that encrypts the data transmitted between the browser and the server. This encryption protects sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, from being intercepted by malicious actors. Most modern websites use HTTPS for security reasons. Therefore, while HTTP is the underlying protocol, users often interact with HTTPS.
In summary:
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): The main protocol used for retrieving resources, like HTML documents.
- HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): A secure version of HTTP, using encryption for safe data transmission.
