What Is HTTPS And Why HTTPS Is Required By Google

Table of Contents

What is HTTPS?

Hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) is a more secure and much more secure version of HTTP. HTTP has been the primary protocol that has always been used to transfer data between a web browser and the web.

HTTPS is encrypted to keep data transfer secure. This is all the more important when users are sending sensitive data such as bank account credentials, email services or insurance details.

This means that any website that requires credentials must have HTTPS. Sites that don’t use HTTPS are marked differently in the Google Chrome web browser than those that are, to make it easier to tell. You can see a green padlock in the URL bar to ensure that the website is secure.

In modern times, all web browsers place a high priority on HTTPS. This is why all non-HTTPS websites are marked as insecure by Google Chrome and other commonly used browsers.

Why use HTTPS?

HTTPS has many advantages. First and foremost, you get better listings and search engine performance. HTTPS also allows you to have more features in browsers. It is also an integral part of web applications.

As mentioned above, websites without HTTPS are marked as “unsecured” by browsers. In addition, it is also used to take advantage of several modern browser features such as service workers and access to hardware such as Bluetooth and APIs such as WebUSB.

How does it work?

Now that we have discussed the basic definition and importance of HTTPS, let us now answer the burning question, how does HTTPS work?

HTTPS requires an encryption protocol to secure all communications. This security protocol is called Transport Layer Security (TLS). It was formerly known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Since the vast majority have become accustomed to using the abbreviation SSL, it is still written and heard about today. TLS and SSL are used interchangeably, but TLS is the real one.

The TLS protocol protects communications using an asymmetric public key infrastructure. There are two different keys that are used to encrypt communication between two parties:

1. Private key: controlled and used by the site owner and kept private. It is not shared with anyone. The private key remains on the web server and its purpose is to decrypt the information encrypted with the public key.

2. Public key: The public key is available to anyone who communicates securely with the server. Information encrypted with a public key can only be decrypted with a private key.

Meaning of HTTPS

HTTPS is a security tool for websites. It prevents websites from displaying your information that can be accessed by someone snooping on your network. When information is transferred via regular HTTP, the information is sent in the form of small packets of data. However, these data packets can be conveniently “sniffed” using free tools. This is why it is highly dangerous to communicate using unsecured media such as public Wi-Fi, as they can be intercepted quite easily. Every communication and data transfer over HTTP is in plain text and is always accessible to anyone who knows how to use the right tools.

On the other hand, with HTTPS, all information is encrypted. So even if the data packets are sniffed or intercepted, they will be treated as nonsense characters.

For a better idea, here is an example of information before and after encryption:

Before encryption

“A string of text that is easy to understand and read”

After encryption

ITM0IRyiEhVpa6VnKyExMiEgNveroyWBPlgGyfkflYjDaaFf/Kn3bo3OfghBPDWo6AfSHlNtL8N7ITEwIXc1gU5X73xMsJormzzXlwOyrCs+9XCPk63Y+z0=

For websites that do not use HTTPS, there is a high probability that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can embed content on their websites without obtaining any consent from the website owner. It is mostly seen in the form of advertising. You would notice that ISPs or perhaps other intermediaries who want to increase their income will place paid advertising on their customers’ websites. What is really unfortunate about this practice is the fact that no amount of money generated by these ads or their control is shared with the website owner.

To get rid of this, use HTTPS. HTTPS removes the power of third parties and intermediaries to insert advertisements into web content.

Difference between HTTPS and HTTP

When we talk about HTTP request process. Cyber ​​threats and attackers can easily obtain sensitive information such as login and payment details. They can also dial malicious code in requested resources.

These network attacks can occur where there is an untrusted ISP or router. This is why public WiFi networks are very vulnerable to these attacks. Fortunately, awareness of this problem is growing and the general public is becoming more aware of the problem, which is also why there is an increase in the use of VPNs.

This means that webmasters are solely responsible for the security of all users’ web browsers.

This is where HTTPS comes in handy.

With HTTPS, you can encrypt HTTP requests and information as mentioned above, which is why even if an attacker intercepts the information, they only see random characters.

While we’re talking about differences, HTTPS is not a separate protocol from HTTP. It’s just that the former uses TLS encryption over HTTP. HTTPS works by transferring TLS certificates that verify that a certain provider is who it says it is.

So when a user connects to a page, that website sends a TLS certificate that has the public key important to start a secure session. Two servers; the client and server then go through a process known as the “TLS handshake”. This handshake is essentially a communication between two computers used to establish a secure connection.

How HTTPS Helps SEO

Almost all the benefits that HTTPS offers are for improving your SEO. For example:

•  Light evaluation signal
• Better security
• Better privacy
• Maintain referral data

It brings all the protocols that enable website security and page loading speed.

Let’s go through each of these factors.

Light evaluation signal

In 2014, Google announced that HTTPS is an indirect or lightweight ranking factor. It won’t necessarily increase your rating, but it would still make a small difference. You still need to take care of other important SEO elements.

Improved security and privacy

We discussed this factor in some detail at the beginning. Now let’s briefly imagine how this affects SEO. Whenever you open a non-secure website, you usually come across the message “Your connection to this website is not secure”.

As the first impression and main point of contact for your customers, you would never want such a message to appear on your website. Your potential customers will quickly lose confidence and never consider you a professional business.

By migrating to HTTPS, you can increase the dwell time and avoid such problems.

Maintains referral data

Still have HTTP and using Google Analytics? Know that no referral data will be transferred from HTTPS to HTTP pages.

This makes your data messy. You also won’t see your best referral sources, which in turn prevents you from building strong links.

Protocols that increase the security and speed of the website

HTTPS allows you to use the latest security and web performance technologies.

So apart from doing the basic thing; provides security, HTTPS also speeds up your website, especially when you use protocols like TLS 1.3 and HTTP/2. It should also be noted that Google considers page speed an indirect ranking factor, just as it marks HTTPS as a ranking signal.

Pack

HTTPS makes a huge difference when it comes to your website’s security and other factors. As mentioned above, it also ensures that your SEO strategy is working properly. If you haven’t incorporated it into your website yet, don’t waste your time. Need professional help with your digital business? Head over to Arslanashiq.dev today to get a fully secure WordPress or Shopify website.