The main difference between HTTP and HTTPS lies in their security protocols and the way data is transmitted between the client (such as a web browser) and the server (such as a website). Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between HTTP and HTTPS:

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol):

1. Protocol:

   • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol used for transmitting data between a web server and a web browser or client. It operates on top of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and is widely used for accessing and delivering web content.

2. Security:

   • HTTP does not provide any built-in encryption or security mechanisms. This means that data transmitted over HTTP is sent in plain text, making it susceptible to interception, eavesdropping, and tampering by malicious actors.

3. Port:

   • HTTP typically operates on port 80 by default. When a web browser makes a request to a web server using HTTP, it connects to port 80 on the server to establish the communication channel.

4. URL:

   • URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) for HTTP websites begin with “http://” followed by the domain name (e.g., http://example.com). Since HTTP does not provide encryption, data transmitted over HTTP can be intercepted and viewed by third parties.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure):

1. Protocol:

   • HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an extension of HTTP that incorporates encryption and security features to protect data transmitted between the client and the server. It uses SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) protocols to encrypt data and establish secure communication channels.

2. Security:

   • HTTPS encrypts data using SSL/TLS encryption, which prevents unauthorized access, interception, and tampering of data transmitted between the client and the server. This ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity, enhancing the overall security of web communications.

3. Port:

   • HTTPS typically operates on port 443 by default. When a web browser makes a request to a web server using HTTPS, it connects to port 443 on the server to establish the secure communication channel.

4. URL:

   • URLs for HTTPS websites begin with “https://” followed by the domain name (e.g., https://example.com). The use of HTTPS encrypts data transmitted over the connection, providing a secure browsing experience for users.

Key Differences:

• Security: HTTPS provides encryption and security features to protect data transmitted between the client and the server, while HTTP sends data in plain text.
• Port: HTTP typically operates on port 80, while HTTPS operates on port 443 by default.
• URL: HTTPS URLs begin with “https://” and indicate a secure connection, while HTTP URLs begin with “http://”.
• Encryption: HTTPS encrypts data using SSL/TLS encryption, preventing unauthorized access and interception, while HTTP does not provide encryption, leaving data vulnerable to interception.

In summary, HTTPS offers a secure and encrypted communication channel for transmitting data over the internet, while HTTP does not provide encryption and is susceptible to security vulnerabilities. As a result, HTTPS is recommended for websites and web applications that handle sensitive information or require secure communication channels.