What is HTTPS how it works?

HTTPS, or HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, is a protocol used for secure communication over a computer network, typically the internet. It combines the standard HTTP with SSL/TLS encryption protocols to ensure that data exchanged between the client (such as a web browser) and the server (such as a website) remains confidential and integral. HTTPS works by encrypting data using symmetric encryption algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and ensuring the authenticity of the server through digital certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs). This encryption prevents unauthorized parties from eavesdropping on or tampering with the communication between the client and server, providing a secure browsing experience for users.

HTTP, or HyperText Transfer Protocol, is the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web. It operates in a client-server model, where the client (typically a web browser) sends requests to the server (a web server hosting a website) to retrieve web pages or other resources. The process works step by step as follows:

1. Client Request: The client initiates a connection to the server and sends an HTTP request message. This message specifies the resource it wants to access, such as a web page URL, and other optional parameters.
2. Server Response: Upon receiving the request, the server processes it and sends back an HTTP response message. This response includes the requested resource, along with status information such as whether the request was successful or if there were errors.
3. Data Transfer: The client receives the HTTP response and displays the requested web page or resource to the user. If additional resources are needed (e.g., images, scripts), the client may send subsequent HTTP requests to fetch them from the server.
4. Connection Closure: Once the data transfer is complete, the client may close the connection or keep it open for further requests, depending on the HTTP version and server settings.

HTTPS sends data securely by encrypting it before transmission using symmetric encryption algorithms like AES. The process includes:

1. Encryption: Before sending any data over the network, HTTPS encrypts it using symmetric encryption algorithms such as AES. This ensures that even if intercepted, the data remains unreadable without the proper decryption keys.
2. Data Transmission: The encrypted data is transmitted over the network from the client to the server or vice versa. This transmission occurs through the established secure connection, which was set up during the SSL/TLS handshake.
3. Decryption: Upon receiving the encrypted data, the recipient (either client or server) decrypts it using the shared symmetric encryption keys established during the SSL/TLS handshake. This decryption allows the recipient to access and process the original plaintext data securely.

HTTPS typically uses asymmetric encryption algorithms such as RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) during the SSL/TLS handshake phase to establish a secure connection between the client and server. Asymmetric encryption is used for key exchange and authentication purposes. Once a secure connection is established, HTTPS then employs symmetric encryption algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for encrypting the actual data being transmitted between the client and server. This combination of asymmetric and symmetric encryption ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data exchanged over HTTPS connections.