In today’s digital world, online privacy and security are extremely important. HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is a communications protocol that provides a secure Internet connection. From this article you will learn what HTTPS is, how it works and how to configure it on your website.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS is an extension of the protocol
HTTP
with an SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) layer. The main purpose of HTTPS is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and authentication of data transmitted between a client (e.g. a web browser) and a server. The use of SSL/TLS allows encryption of the data that is sent between the client and the server, providing greater security in Internet communication.

How does the HTTPS protocol work?

Data encryption

Fundamental to the operation of HTTPS is data encryption. The SSL/TLS protocol uses advanced cryptographic algorithms to encrypt the information that is sent between the client and the server. Encrypting data makes it unreadable to third parties who can intercept communications. This ensures that data, such as personal information, passwords or financial information, is protected from unauthorized access.

Server authentication

HTTPS also provides server authentication. Before the connection is established, the server presents its SSL/TLS certificate, which contains information about the server’s identity. The client browser checks the validity of the certificate and confirms whether the server is trustworthy. This helps avoid Man-in-the-Middle attacks, where an attacker impersonates a real server.

Data integrity

HTTPS also ensures data integrity. The SSL/TLS protocol uses cryptographic hash mechanisms, such as SHA hash functions, to verify that transmitted data has not been modified during transmission. If there is any change in the data, the shortcut will be changed, causing the recipient to reject the data.

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HTTPS – how to do on a website?

1.Purchase of SSL/TLS certificate

To set up HTTPS on your site, the first step is to purchase an SSL/TLS certificate. It can be purchased from various certificate providers, such as Let’s Encrypt, Comodo and Symantec. The certificate is issued based on identity verification and certifies that your site is secure and authentic.

2.Installation of SSL/TLS certificate

Once you have purchased an SSL/TLS certificate, you need to install it on the server where your website is hosted. The installation process may vary depending on the server used, but in most cases the certificate provider provides step-by-step instructions to follow.

3.Configure the server and redirect traffic to HTTPS

After installing the SSL/TLS certificate, it is necessary to configure the server to support HTTPS connections. This usually requires making the appropriate changes to server settings, such as configuration files or administrative panels. In addition, it is important to redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS to ensure that users are automatically routed to a secure connection.

What is the importance of HTTPS for SEO?

HTTPS is important not only for security and data protection, but also for optimization
SEO
. Here are a few reasons why HTTPS can positively affect a site’s positioning in search engine results:

1.Credibility and trust

Having an SSL/TLS certificate and using HTTPS contributes to the credibility of the site in the eyes of users and search engines. A secure HTTPS connection signals that the site cares about users’ security and protects their data. This translates into greater visitor confidence and a positive impression of the brand.

2.Positive ranking signal

Search engines, such as Google, consider a site’s security when determining its position in search results. Having an SSL/TLS certificate and using HTTPS can be an additional positive ranking signal that influences a higher position in search results. Therefore, I recommend switching to HTTPS to improve search engine visibility.

3.Avoiding insecurity messages

In web browsers, HTTP pages are often marked as Dangerous and display warnings to users. Having an SSL/TLS certificate eliminates these insecurity messages, which positively affects user trust and increases conversion rates. That’s why it’s a good idea to migrate to HTTPS to increase the credibility of the site.

4.Improve bounce rate and increase time spent on site

A secure HTTPS connection can improve the bounce rate and increase the time spent on the site. Users have more confidence in HTTPS sites, prompting them to stay on the site longer and explore the content. This positively affects user engagement metrics, which are important for ranking algorithms.

HTTPS is a secure Internet connection that ensures the confidentiality, integrity and authentication of data transmitted between the client and the server. With data encryption, server authentication and data integrity checking, HTTPS increases security and allows you to meet one of the basic requirements of SEO.

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