How Does the HTTPS Protocol Securely Transfer Hypertext

Imagine you want to send a letter to a friend through regular mail, and in order to prevent anyone from tampering with its contents, you fold it and seal it tightly inside an envelope that can only be opened by tearing it apart. This is considered a secure measure that assures you the message's content will not be accessed by anyone.

Similarly, when you browse the internet, you share some of your personal data (such as your name and surname) as well as sensitive information (like passwords, credit card details, etc.). This is where the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) comes into play, providing a layer of protection for our data with a high level of security. Each character exchanged is encrypted.

In the following paragraphs, we will delve deeper into what the HTTPS protocol means, how it works, and why you should not ignore it in order to maintain the credibility of your website and ensure the safety and confidentiality of its data to the best extent possible.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS is the more secure version of the previous format, HTTP. It acts as a mediator between servers and web browsers, with its main role being to protect data, especially sensitive information such as personal data and payment card numbers, and keep it confidential. This is achieved through encryption protocols that hinder the actions of intruders and anyone attempting to breach the data, making it an essential component for any website.

Why should you use it?

In order for a website to be classified as secure, it is important for it to have the HTTPS protocol. At this point, I'm not trying to convince you of the importance of using the HTTPS security protocol, but you are obligated to do so. Otherwise, it would not be in your best interest to neglect its importance for the following reasons:

1. Your website will be marginalized.

The first problem you will encounter when not using a security protocol is with internet browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla, Microsoft Edge, and others. These browsers consider it a personal issue and will not risk their credibility by allowing users who trust them to access an insecure page. Instead, they will redirect the client to a warning page, informing them that their data may be at risk if they proceed to that page and advising them to leave immediately.

This will work against your aspirations, and the first step you should take if you intend to increase traffic to your website is to ensure that you are indeed using a security protocol.

2- One of the important SEO criteria

Practicing SEO correctly will have a positive impact on the ranking of your articles on search engines. Search engines, especially Google, are constantly engaged in a battle against anyone who employs deceptive tactics to gain new victims. Failure to adhere to this protocol will result in your classification directly into the category of suspicious websites.

In the world of search engine optimization, there is fierce competition among content creators who rely on highly complex strategies to secure advanced positions on the first page. By not adhering to these requirements, you are essentially out of the competition.

SSL certification is one of the internal SEO improvement standards for a website, and not using it will definitely have a negative impact on its performance.

3-Compliance with data protection regulations is also crucial.

GDPR is one of the European bodies that regulate public data protection, as it imposes a number of laws on you and confirms that you do not violate them, and there is no doubt that obtaining an SSL certificate is one of the laws that you must provide so as not to fall into the prohibited.

4- Increase users' trust in your site

Every visitor to your website agrees to the terms of use, even if they are not familiar with them. Not everyone browsing the web is knowledgeable about these matters, but there is definitely a segment that deals with these technologies on a daily basis. Therefore, at first glance, they will judge the professionalism of your website, and even those who are unaware of these matters will feel more secure when they see this point mentioned in your website's privacy policy page.

These are just some points that will have a detrimental effect on your website if you ignore the use of this protocol. Rest assured that there are still many other negative aspects you will face if you do not seriously consider transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS.

How does the Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) work in compliance with data protection regulations?

The following article is about online data security and encryption. It explains the technical process behind securing data and provides a simplified example for better understanding.

To ensure transparency, the type of data being collected should be disclosed through a privacy policy page. First, we will explain the technical process behind the scenes, and then we will provide a clearer example.
When you enter a website's URL in the search bar, including the HTTPS protocol, or simply type the website name (www.site.com), it will be directly redirected to the secure protocol, provided that the website supports it. The following steps will occur, which are not visible to regular users:

1. Once the browser (e.g., Google Chrome) requests the website, the server (belonging to the requested website) responds by presenting its digital certificate, which can be verified using a security key to confirm its authenticity and integrity.
2. If the certificate is valid and trustworthy, the browser generates a symmetric encryption key, encrypts it based on the server's public key, and sends it back to the server. This can be considered an important step for key exchange.
3. The encrypted key is decrypted by the server to establish a secure connection, utilizing its private key.
4. After successfully completing the previous step, both parties possess the same symmetric key, which will be primarily used to encrypt and decrypt data exchanged during the browsing session.
5. Having gone through all the previous steps, the groundwork is now prepared for secure data exchange. Every piece of information transferred between parties will be encrypted without compromise.
6. Older versions of TLS, known to be vulnerable to data breaches, contain numerous security loopholes. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you opt for a company that provides the latest TLS version and keeps it updated regularly.

Here is a clearer example of the stages a visitor goes through for a secure browsing experience, according to data protection regulations.

Let's assume that Youssef wants to find a solution to a technical problem, and he knows well that the borsippa website is the best option in this case. Therefore, he will access our website directly through the link "borsippa.com."

Whether the user types the website's link with the insecure HTTP protocol or without any other protocol (directly entering the website's link), it will automatically be redirected to the secure HTTPS mode. This is because we, as programmers, have set up the website to automatically redirect any attempt to access it differently to the secure mode.

Now, the visitor's browser, Youssef's, will directly send a request to the server at "borsippa.com" to establish a secure connection. The server will then verify the validity and integrity of the certificate. If the results are valid, Amin's browser will generate an encrypted key. The purpose of this key is to encode all the information Youssef enters, and it will also handle the decryption process. Subsequently, this encrypted key will be sent to the server.

The server will receive the encrypted key sent by Amin's browser and immediately decrypt it using its private key. It's worth noting that both parties (Youssef's browser and the server) have the same symmetric encryption key, which will be utilized to create a secure browsing experience.

At this point, it can be said that Youssef will have a secure browsing experience, and all his activities on the browser, such as writing a comment, entering his personal name, or even sensitive data, will be encrypted to remain confidential and secure.

Will your website become 100% secure with the use of HTTPS?

The idea is considered your capital as an independent worker, and always work on developing it for the better. Perhaps I wouldn't be straightforward with you if I said that you are absolutely protected by enabling this option. Despite relying on complex encryption techniques, it is still susceptible to attacks. However, at least the risk factor will significantly decrease compared to those who neglect this secure hypertext transfer protocol.

Furthermore, among the reasons that reduce the effectiveness of the HTTPS protocol is sometimes its improper use, which can make you a tasty target for those who are monitoring you. This is precisely what we will address in the following point.

Mistakes to Avoid in the HTTPS Protocol.

After installing the secure protocol on your website link, there are some common mistakes you should avoid to prevent being penalized. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to use it correctly, and the best way is to be aware of these mistakes and avoid them.

• To avoid duplicate content, it is important to choose one URL format to which all other formats redirect. Of course, this format should meet the requirement of having a secure protocol. Additionally, make sure that the redirection process is successful, as any failure can negatively impact your website's quality.
• Always lean towards companies that provide high-level and constantly evolving encryption algorithms. Weak encryption can be easily compromised, and most popular browsers require a high level of encryption.
• When purchasing a certificate, ensure that it is obtained from reputable websites. During the certificate verification process (CA), it should meet the necessary criteria; otherwise, it will be disregarded, and your website might be labeled as suspicious.
• To stay informed, SSL certificates are typically purchased through annual subscriptions. Some domain-selling websites offer them for free during the first year, such as "namecheap.com." However, you must remember to renew your subscription to avoid losing credibility for your website unknowingly.
• Completely forget that you have a website with an insecure protocol. Any link you share on social media platforms should be in the HTTPS format, and pay attention to the letter "S."
• One of the mistakes in building backlinks is using the insecure HTTP format, which signals to search engines like Google that this format is important, while they are sensitive to it. It is recommended that all your links use the secure format.

Formatting the article professionally will earn it the trust of search engines.

Protecting user data on your website is primarily your responsibility, and it could be considered negligence on your part if you do not give absolute importance to the Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS). It is not in your favor to rely on HTTP as the official format for your website's domain. On one hand, your data will be vulnerable to breaches, and on the other hand, search engines like Google and other platforms that aim to increase visits to your website will classify it as suspicious.

The next necessary step is to immediately transition to the secure protocol, as it is already considered one of the vital standards for any website due to the confidentiality and integrity it provides for user data. It is important to have a good understanding of HTTPS and how to effectively implement it in the appropriate place.

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