What is HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for:
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure
It is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol used to send data between your browser and a website.
✅ With HTTPS, the data is encrypted — which means no one can read or steal it in the middle.
🛡️ What is SSL?
SSL stands for:
Secure Sockets Layer
It’s a security technology that creates an encrypted connection between:
- Your browser
- And the web server
💡 When a website uses SSL, it becomes HTTPS instead of HTTP.
So basically:
SSL = Technology
HTTPS = ResultWhy Does HTTPS Matter?
- ✅ Protects sensitive data – Like passwords, emails, and card numbers
- ✅ Builds trust – Visitors see a padlock 🔒 in the browser
- ✅ Required for SEO – Google gives preference to HTTPS websites
- ✅ Secures forms & logins – Prevents hackers from stealing info
- ✅ Prevents tampering – Stops third parties from injecting ads/malware
🔓 HTTP vs HTTPS – What’s the Difference?
| Feature | HTTP | HTTPS (with SSL) |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ❌ Not encrypted | ✅ Encrypted connection |
| URL | http://example.com | https://example.com |
| Padlock Icon | ❌ No padlock | ✅ Green/gray padlock 🔒 |
| SEO Ranking | Lower | Higher |
| Data Safety | Exposed to hackers | Protected |
📄 What is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate is a digital file issued by a trusted company (like Let’s Encrypt or GoDaddy).
It proves:
- Your website is secure
- You are the real owner
- Data will be encrypted
🧠 Once installed, browsers show the 🔒 padlock and enable https://.
🛠️ How to Get SSL for Your Website
✅ Most hosting providers (like Hostinger, Bluehost) offer free SSL with your domain.
Steps to enable HTTPS:
- Buy a domain & hosting
- Enable SSL from your hosting dashboard
- Install the certificate
- Redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS
Plugins like Really Simple SSL make this easy in WordPress.
🌐 Example:
- ❌
http://learnnewthings.fun→ Not secure - ✅
https://learnnewthings.fun→ Secure, with SSL padlock
Google Chrome warns users if a site is not secure.
🧠 Fun Fact
Google made HTTPS a ranking factor in 2014.
So even SEO improves if your site is secured with SSL. 🔥
✅ Summary
| You Learned Today |
|---|
| ✅ What HTTPS and SSL mean |
| ✅ Why security is important on websites |
| ✅ How SSL certificates work |
| ✅ How to switch your site to HTTPS |
💬 Comment Prompt
💬 Is your website still on HTTP?
Comment “Need help switching to HTTPS” and we’ll guide you! 💡
📥 Join our tech group → @LearnNewThingsHub
