HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are both protocols used for transmitting data over the internet. However, they differ in terms of security and the methods they use to transfer data.

1. Security:

   • HTTP: HTTP is not secure by default. Data transmitted over HTTP is sent in plain text, which means that it can be intercepted and read by anyone with access to the network. This lack of encryption makes HTTP vulnerable to various security threats, such as eavesdropping, data tampering, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
   • HTTPS: HTTPS is designed to provide a secure communication channel over the internet. It encrypts data using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), before transmission. This encryption ensures that data exchanged between the client and server is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.

2. Encryption:

   • HTTP: HTTP does not encrypt data before transmission. Data is sent in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception and eavesdropping.
   • HTTPS: HTTPS encrypts data using SSL/TLS encryption algorithms. This encryption ensures that data transmitted over the network is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. Only the intended recipient (the server) can decrypt and read the data.

3. Protocol Identifier:

   • HTTP: HTTP uses port 80 as its default port for communication.
   • HTTPS: HTTPS uses port 443 as its default port for communication.

4. Usage:

   • HTTP: HTTP is commonly used for transmitting data over the internet, such as loading web pages, retrieving resources (images, scripts, stylesheets), and submitting form data.
   • HTTPS: HTTPS is used in situations where data security and privacy are paramount, such as online banking, e-commerce transactions, accessing sensitive information (personal, financial, medical), and securing communication between web servers and clients.

5. Trust and Authentication:

   • HTTPS: HTTPS provides a mechanism for verifying the identity of the server using digital certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs). This ensures that the client is communicating with the intended server and not an imposter. HTTPS also supports client authentication, where the server can request and verify the identity of the client.
   • HTTP: HTTP does not provide built-in mechanisms for verifying the identity of the server or client. As a result, there is no guarantee that the server is authentic or that the data has not been tampered with during transmission.

Overall, HTTPS offers a higher level of security and privacy compared to HTTP, making it the preferred choice for transmitting sensitive information over the internet. It encrypts data, verifies the identity of the server, and protects against various security threats, providing a secure communication channel for online transactions and interactions.