HTTP gets secure by incorporating Transport Layer Security (TLS) or its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). These protocols encrypt the data transmitted between the client and server, preventing unauthorized access and tampering. When an HTTP connection is secured using TLS/SSL, it becomes HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure.
What makes HTTP secure is the encryption provided by TLS/SSL. This encryption ensures that the data exchanged between the client and server is unreadable to anyone who intercepts it. In addition to encryption, HTTPS provides data integrity, ensuring that the data sent and received has not been altered, and authentication, confirming the server’s identity through digital certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs).
To make HTTP requests secure, the server must support and be configured to use TLS/SSL. The server should have a valid SSL/TLS certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority. When the client makes a request, it should use “https://” instead of “http://” in the URL. The server and client will then establish a secure connection, where the data transmitted is encrypted.
To secure an HTTP connection, obtain and install an SSL/TLS certificate on the server. Configure the web server to use this certificate and to redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS. Ensure that all resources (such as images, scripts, and stylesheets) on the site are requested over HTTPS. Regularly update and renew the SSL/TLS certificate and configure the server to use strong encryption algorithms and protocols.
HTTP becomes HTTPS by enabling TLS/SSL on the web server. This involves obtaining an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority and installing it on the server. The server is then configured to accept and establish secure connections using this certificate. When a client requests an HTTPS URL, the server and client perform a handshake to establish a secure connection, during which the server presents its certificate, and the client verifies it. Once the secure connection is established, data is encrypted and transmitted securely.