Explain the difference between HTTP and HTTPS and why HTTPS is preferred for web traffic.

Explain the difference between HTTP and HTTPS and why HTTPS is preferred for web traffic.

• A. HTTP is encrypted via TLS/SSL; HTTPS is unencrypted.
• B. HTTPS is deprecated.
• C. HTTP is encrypted; HTTPS is unencrypted.
• D. HTTPS uses encryption via TLS/SSL to protect data in transit; HTTP is unencrypted.

Answer: (D)

HTTPS adds encryption and authentication to web traffic, whereas HTTP sends data in plaintext. When you use HTTP, the data traveling between your browser and the server can be read or altered by anyone who can monitor the network, which means credentials, messages, and cookies are vulnerable. HTTPS uses TLS/SSL to establish a secure connection: the server presents a certificate from a trusted authority so your browser can verify it’s talking to the real site, a handshake creates a shared session key, and all actual data is encrypted with that key. This encryption keeps information confidential, while the overall protocol also provides integrity so tampering is detectable, and authentication so you’re protected against impersonation. That combination is why HTTPS is preferred for web traffic: it protects privacy, prevents data tampering, and helps ensure you’re communicating with the intended site. Modern browsers also encourage or enforce HTTPS and support faster protocols like HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 over TLS, further reinforcing security and performance.

HTTPS adds encryption and authentication to web traffic, whereas HTTP sends data in plaintext. When you use HTTP, the data traveling between your browser and the server can be read or altered by anyone who can monitor the network, which means credentials, messages, and cookies are vulnerable. HTTPS uses TLS/SSL to establish a secure connection: the server presents a certificate from a trusted authority so your browser can verify it’s talking to the real site, a handshake creates a shared session key, and all actual data is encrypted with that key. This encryption keeps information confidential, while the overall protocol also provides integrity so tampering is detectable, and authentication so you’re protected against impersonation. That combination is why HTTPS is preferred for web traffic: it protects privacy, prevents data tampering, and helps ensure you’re communicating with the intended site. Modern browsers also encourage or enforce HTTPS and support faster protocols like HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 over TLS, further reinforcing security and performance.