HTTP vs. HTTPS: How SSL/TLS Encryption Works
Understanding HTTP vs. HTTPS
Introduction to HTTP and HTTPS
- The session covers the differences between HTTP and HTTPS, SSL/TLS encryption, obtaining free SSL certificates, and troubleshooting HTTPS issues on websites.
What is HTTP?
- HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, a method used to fetch resources like HTML documents and images from web servers.
- Data sent via HTTP travels as plain text over the internet, making it vulnerable to interception by attackers who can extract sensitive information.
The Importance of HTTPS
- HTTPS (HTTP Secure) adds security features to HTTP by encrypting data before transmission, protecting against eavesdropping.
- Google considers HTTPS a ranking signal since 2014 due to its importance in safeguarding user information.
Analogy for Understanding Security
- An analogy compares sending unencrypted data (HTTP) to mailing an open package versus using a secure safe (HTTPS), which only authorized individuals can access.
Encryption Protocols: SSL and TLS
Overview of SSL and TLS
- SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) authenticates website identity for secure sessions; TLS (Transport Layer Security) is its successor with improved security standards.
How Authentication Works
- When connecting via SSL, the browser requests server identification through an authentication process involving an SSL certificate.
Obtaining SSL Certificates
Types of Certificates Available
- There are three types of certificates: Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). DV is basic but sufficient for many sites.
Free Certificate Options
- Free DV certificates can be obtained from LetsEncrypt.org or through hosting providers that support easy installation options.
Handling HTTPS Issues
Common Problems with HTTPS
- Websites not initially set up with HTTPS may have pages still using insecure HTTP; even major sites like Amazon have such instances.
Checking for Insecure URLs
Understanding HTTPS Issues in Website Audits
Importance of Running a Website Audit
- Google recognizes that certain pages were previously unsecured, which may lead to false positives in security assessments. To efficiently identify all HTTPS-related issues, conducting a website audit is recommended.
- The audit can be performed using Ahrefs Site Audit, accessible with either a paid or free Webmaster Tools account.
Analyzing SEO Issues
- After completing the crawl, users should navigate to the "All Issues" report to view a comprehensive list of SEO problems detected on their site along with the number of affected pages.
- A search for HTTP within this report reveals specific issues; for instance, it may indicate that there are seven pages linking from HTTPS to HTTP.
Addressing Specific URL Issues
- Users can click on the number next to an issue name to see detailed information about which URLs are impacted by these problems.