Website Design: The Difference Between HTTP & HTTPS Pages

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Webmasters often face technical issues when converting their websites from HTTP to HTTPS. Rule of thumb, you should always protect your site with HTTPS no matter what. Apart from providing crucial integrity and security, HTTPS is becoming the standard for new browser features and web applications. We’re here to give you the rundown on the difference between HTTP & HTTPS webpages and why you should include it in your website design.

HTTP vs HTTPS: What’s The Difference?

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. HTTP is used frequently over the web due to its simplicity for data transfer. However, the data exchanged over HTTP isn’t as protected as many need it to be. The extra “S” in HTTPS stands for “secure.” What sets HTTPS apart from HTTP is that HTTPS provides webpages with more security and protection against attackers.

Mixed Content

Mixed content is when a website has both HTTP and HTTPS elements. For example, the initial HTML may load over a secure connection, but other content such as images and video, are loaded through an HTTP connection. Both HTTPS and HTTP are being used to display the page with the initial request being loaded via HTTPS.

Mixed Content Lessens The Security Of HTTPS

Images, video, and audio content would be known as passive-mixed content. Though we recommend all content to be HTTPS, these are the least threatening of mixed content on your page since it doesn’t interact with the rest of the page. This helps to restrict attacks.

Active mixed content, on the other hand, is content that interacts with the page as a whole. This type of mixed content allows the attacker to change things once access is gained. Any code the browser can download and execute is active mixed content. This includes stylesheets, scripts, iframes, and flash resources just to name a few.

Browsers often warn users of mixed content websites but to no avail. By then, the insecure requests have already been made and the security has been compromised. This scenario is very common across the web. Unfortunately, browsers often cannot restrict mixed content requests without restricting the functionality of the entire site.

Advantages of HTTPS

HTTPS provides extra security for your website and its user. Not only is HTTPS safer but it is the standard (and even a requirement) for many new web services and web applications.

• HTTPS Reinforces Your Website’s Integrity

  HTTPS defends against intruders that may want to maliciously sabotage your website. Intruders can include skilled attackers and intrusive but legitimate companies, such as ISPs and hotels that inject ads into websites.

  The intention of these hackers is to trick your users into giving up sensitive information or making them download malware. When it comes to ads, some might see them as harmless, but they consume your site’s resources. Also, some ads may clash with your site’s brand and image.

• A Safer Place For Your Users

  HTTPS is simply a better place for the security and privacy of your users.

  If you’ve ever shopped online, you may have noticed that as soon as you click “Check-out” the address bar changes to HTTPS. This is done so that important information transfers such as financial transactions are made secure.

  However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that only websites that handle sensitive information need HTTPS. Unprotected HTTP requests can lead to information leaks, revealing sensitive information about your users’ locations, identities, and behaviors. One visit to your unprotected site might seem like no big deal, but hackers use accumulated browsing activity to make inferences about the behaviors and identities of your users. This information can weaken their user anonymity.

• HTTPS Is Becoming The Standard

  New web features and progressive apps that enable convenient offline experiences require HTTPS. In addition, older APIs are being updated to require more permissions and security to execute. HTTPS is the foundation for the permissions design of these new web applications. If you want to make the most of your web experience for your business and your customers, converting to HTTPS is the way to go.

The Best Website Designers In South Florida

If you’re looking for the best in website design in South Florida, the team of experts at Connectica should be your number one choice! We take your vision and make it a reality. Call us today at 877-816-2259 to discuss your website and how we can make it better.