What is HTTPS?

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS - or HyperText Transfer Protocol with Secure Sockets Layer) is a secure version of the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (http). HTTPS is a protocol to transfer encrypted data over the Web. HTTPS allows secure ecommerce transactions, such as online banking.

Web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Firefox display a padlock icon to indicate that the website is secure. It also displays https:// in the address bar.

When a user connects to a website via HTTPS, the website encrypts the session with a digital certificate.

SSL provides secure, transport-level security. Nobody between client and server should be able to read the information. When a SSL Digital Certificate is installed on a web site, users can see a padlock icon at the bottom area of the navigator. When an Extended Validation Certificates is installed on a web site, users with the latest versions of Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera will see the green address bar at the URL area of the navigator.

Why Is A SSL Certificate Required?

With booming Internet trends and fraud, most will not submit their private details on the web unless they know that the information they provide is securely transmitted and not accessible for anyone to view.

Below things are needed:

1. A Web server such as Apache that supports SSL encryption.
2. A Unique IP address
3. An SSL Certificate from an SSL certificate provider

Some tips for using HTTPS:

• Point to all Web forms on the https:// server
• Use relative paths to images on secured pages
• Secure only the pages that request and collect data