HTTPS and encryption – how to protect your website

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an encryption protocol that secures communication on today’s internet. You can easily see if a website uses HTTPS by checking the web address – it should start with ‘https://’ instead of ‘http://’.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, where the letter ‘S’ stands for ‘Secure’. By using SSL/TLS encryption, HTTPS creates a protected tunnel between your browser and the web server. This means that no unauthorized person can intercept or manipulate data transferred between your device and the server.

The process happens automatically when you visit a secure website:

Your browser contacts the website.
The server identifies itself with a security certificate.
An encrypted connection is established.
All communication is protected against interception.

Fact: TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the more modern and secure version of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). Although SSL is outdated, TLS certificates are often still referred to as “SSL certificates” in the industry.

Why you should use HTTPS

HTTPS protects both website owners and visitors and is a central part of today’s web security.

Data protection: Encryption secures the transfer of information between users and websites, protecting sensitive data during transport.
Verified identity: HTTPS certificates confirm that the website is actually owned by the organization claiming to be the sender, protecting against fraud.
Improved search engine ranking: Google and other search engines prioritize secure websites in their search results.
Increased user confidence: Websites that still use HTTP may trigger an HTTPS warning in the browser, where the user receives a message that the connection is not secure. This can lead to a decrease in the website’s credibility.

Modern web security also requires HTTPS for many features. For example, modern browser features such as geolocation and progressive web apps do not work without a secure HTTPS connection.

HTTPS vs HTTP – what is the difference?

The main difference between HTTPS and HTTP is simply security. HTTP sends data unprotected over the internet, while HTTPS encrypts all communication between users and websites to prevent unauthorized access. HTTP also lacks authentication, which means that attackers can create fake versions of a website and trick users into handing over sensitive information.

HTTPS also protects data integrity, which means that the information sent between users and the server cannot be altered or distorted during transmission.

This is why HTTP has now been replaced by the secure version HTTPS on most websites.

How to activate HTTPS on your website

So how do you get HTTPS on your website? To secure your website with HTTPS, you need to implement the right security protocol by obtaining an SSL certificate. Here are the steps to secure your website with HTTPS:

Obtain an SSL certificate, for example via Dotkeeper’s Certificate Management service
Install the certificate
Configure redirection from HTTP to HTTPS
Test the implementation

Common misconceptions about HTTPS

Even though HTTPS has become the standard, there are still some common misconceptions:

“HTTPS makes a website 100 percent secure” – HTTPS encrypts traffic but does not protect against malware, viruses, phishing attacks, or other cyber threats.
“HTTPS is only important for e-commerce” – All websites should use HTTPS today to protect users and improve SEO.
“HTTPS slows down a website” – This was true many years ago, but modern technology has made HTTPS as fast as HTTP. In many cases, HTTPS can even provide better performance thanks to optimizations in modern browsers and the ability to use faster protocols such as HTTP/2.

Dotkeeper helps you secure your company’s website

HTTPS is one of the most important security measures for all modern websites. Proper implementation with the right SSL/TLS certificate provides visitors with a secure and fast experience on your website.

Dotkeeper helps you and your company to:

Choose the right type of SSL certificate for your needs
Implement HTTPS in a professional manner
Automate certificate management through Sectigo’s Certificate Manager (SCM).