What is HTTP and HTTPS? The Difference Between Them

Whenever you open a web browser and enter a URL, you may notice that some websites automatically add the prefix https:// or HTTPS:// in front of the web address. So, what are they, and why do some websites use HTTP while others use HTTPS? To understand the difference between HTTP and HTTPS, you first need to know what HTTP and HTTPS are. We will explain everything you need to know.

If your website has not yet implemented HTTPS, you can contact us—we will help you register an SSL certificate or HTTPS for your website with our SSL registration service.

I. Definition of HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is used by the World Wide Web (www) to transmit data such as text, images, video, audio, and other files between the web server and the web browser, and vice versa.

HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It is an extension of HTTP that uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates to encrypt transmitted data and enhance security between the web server and the browser. In other words, HTTPS is a more secure and protected version of HTTP.

Nowadays, protecting personal information is very important. Therefore, many websites choose to use HTTPS instead of HTTP. Modern browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer display a padlock icon in the address bar to indicate whether the HTTPS protocol is active on the website you’re visiting.

How Do HTTP and HTTPS Work?

HTTP operates based on a client/server model. The client sends a request to the server and waits for the server’s response. To exchange data, both the client and the server must operate under a common protocol: HTTP.

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Simply put, when you enter a web address and press Enter, an HTTP request is sent to the server, asking it to find the website you entered. Once the server receives the request, it sends back the desired webpage and displays it in your browser. This process may be faster or slower depending on your internet speed.

HTTPS works similarly to HTTP but uses additional protocols like SSL and TLS. These protocols ensure that only the client and the server can access your data and information. Whether you’re using a private or public computer, an SSL certificate keeps communication between the client and server safe and protected from eavesdropping attempts.

II. How Are HTTP and HTTPS Different?

Although both are protocols for transmitting information over the internet, HTTP and HTTPS differ in several key ways, making HTTPS the more favored option worldwide.

SSL Certificate

The most significant difference between HTTP and HTTPS is the SSL certificate. Essentially, HTTPS is HTTP with added security. In an era where everything is digitized, HTTPS becomes crucial for website security. Regardless of whether you’re on a personal or public device, SSL standards ensure that communication between the client and server is secure and protected from spying.

Ports Used by HTTP and HTTPS

Ports are identifiers that help direct information from the client to the server. Each port has its own number and specific function. HTTP uses Port 80, while HTTPS uses Port 443—which supports encrypted connections from the client computer to the server, protecting the data being transmitted.

Security Level of HTTP vs. HTTPS

When a client accesses a website, HTTPS helps verify the authenticity of that website through security certificate validation.

These certificates are issued and verified by Certificate Authorities (CAs)—trusted third-party organizations that provide various types of digital certificates to users, businesses, servers, source codes, and software. These authorities act as trusted intermediaries to help ensure safe and secure communication between both parties.

In contrast, HTTP does not encrypt or authenticate the data, meaning there’s no guarantee that your connection isn’t being “eavesdropped” or that you’re not sharing information with a fake or malicious website.

III. Security Level of HTTP and HTTPS

HTTPS helps verify the identity of websites users visit by authenticating security credentials (security certificates). These security certificates are issued and verified by trusted certificate authorities (CAs).

Once verified by a CA, users can be assured they are accessing the legitimate website and not a fake one. While HTTPS security is not 100% foolproof, it is significantly more secure than HTTP. Of course, HTTP does not encrypt data, making it highly vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Clearly, HTTPS is much safer than HTTP in terms of data encryption and personal information security. However, HTTP has the advantage of faster response times, making it ideal for websites that require quick access to information, such as news sites or platforms where users input sensitive data like bank accounts or personal emails—although news sites also now commonly use HTTPS.

You can easily check whether a website uses HTTP or HTTPS by looking for the padlock icon in the address bar.

IV. Should You Use HTTPS for Your Website?

In the past, HTTPS was primarily used by financial, banking, and e-commerce websites to secure online payment information. However, today, HTTPS has become the minimum security standard that all business websites must meet, for the following reasons:

HTTPS Protects User Information

HTTPS uses encryption to ensure that messages exchanged between the client and server cannot be read by third parties (hackers).

Accessing a website without HTTPS exposes users to the risk of sniffing attacks. Hackers can intercept the connection between the client and server and steal data users send (passwords, credit card info, emails, etc.) as well as data available on the website. Even user activity can be tracked and recorded without their knowledge.

With HTTPS, users and servers can trust that data exchanged remains intact and unmodified from its original state.

Prevent Phishing Through Fake Websites

Any server can impersonate your server to trick users into sharing information—this is known as phishing.

With HTTPS, before the client and server begin encrypted communication, the browser checks the server’s SSL certificate to ensure users are communicating with the intended entity.

SSL/TLS certificates help verify that the website is the official business site, not a fake one.

HTTPS Builds Trust with Users

Popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari warn users when a website is “Not Secure” (i.e., using HTTP). These warnings help protect users’ personal information, credit cards, and other sensitive data.

Users are the soul of any website. Protecting users is protecting your website. If users don’t trust or feel safe on your site, you will likely lose them. Using HTTPS with a verified SSL/TLS certificate is a sign of credibility.

HTTPS Is Essential for SEO

Since 2014, Google has boosted the search rankings of websites that use HTTPS, encouraging the transition. This means websites that don’t upgrade lose competitive advantage.

If your business is doing SEO through Google search, HTTPS is crucial for your website’s success.

HTTPS Is Slightly Slower than HTTP—But Barely Noticeable

The only downside of HTTPS is that it may slightly slow down communication (page loading, browsing) between the client and server. However, thanks to modern technology, this performance gap is now virtually negligible.

After considering all the pros and cons, it’s clear that HTTPS offers numerous advantages over HTTP and boosts a business’s credibility. That’s why all websites should use HTTPS.

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V. Where to Buy an HTTPS Protocol?

For personal blogs or small websites, you can use free SSL certificates provided by hosting companies or install free SSL manually.

Currently, hosting providers like Azdigi, iNET, and Hostinger include SSL certificate activation. After purchasing your domain and hosting, ask their support team to configure HTTPS on your website.

If you want to install a free SSL yourself, consider Cloudflare or Let’s Encrypt. These tools offer simple ways to create free SSL certificates.

For business websites requiring high security and authentication, maintaining HTTPS typically costs 300,000–3,000,000 VND/year, or even 3,000,000–14,000,000 VND/year for professional certificates like EV SSL.

EV SSL allows your company name to be displayed in the browser’s address bar.

You can buy EV SSL from Namecheap (international payments) or MuaSSL.com.

Note: EV SSL (Extended Validation SSL) is not more secure than standard SSL—it only differs in display. Only certain businesses are eligible to register for EV SSL.

VI. How to Switch from HTTP to HTTPS

• Set up and configure an SSL certificate.

• Back up your entire website in case you need to restore it.

• Adjust all internal links from HTTP to HTTPS.

• Update your code libraries (e.g., JavaScript, Ajax, and any third-party plugins).

• Redirect all externally controlled links to HTTPS, including directory listings.

• Modify configuration files such as .htaccess for Apache, LiteSpeed, NGINX config, or your internet service manager (e.g., Windows Web Server) to enable HTTP to HTTPS redirection.

• If using a CDN (Content Delivery Network), update its SSL settings.

• Implement a 301 redirect on every page.

• Update any links used in marketing automation tools.

• Update landing pages and links used in paid ads.

• Configure your website for HTTPS in Google Search Console and Google Analytics.

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