What is HTTPS and why it’s important?

HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It's the secure version of regular HTTP, the language that web browsers and websites use to chat with each other. 

When you visit a website using HTTPS, all the information travelling between your browser and the website is encrypted, so no one else can read it. This is especially important when entering sensitive information like passwords and banking details. 

Any site that asks users to log in should be using HTTPS. Most modern browsers, including Google Chrome, highlight whether a site is secure; just look for the padlock icon in the address bar. If a site isn’t using HTTPS, browsers will often mark it as “Not Secure” to warn before entering any information. 

HTTPS security works thanks to something called SSL/TLS certificates. These are digital certificates that prove a website is genuine.  

When you visit an HTTPS site, your browser: 

1. Connects to the website 

2. Checks its SSL/TLS certificate to confirm it’s genuine 

3. Agrees on a secret encryption code with the website 

4. Starts sending and receiving data in scrambled form, so it cannot be read by anyone else 

This process, called encryption, changes your data into an unreadable format that can only be unlocked with the correct key. It all happens in milliseconds, ensuring your connection stays private and secure. 

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It's the basic language that websites and browsers use to chat with each other. Back in the early days of the web, most sites used regular HTTP because security wasn't a major concern. 

But here's the problem: HTTP sends everything in plain text. Your passwords, bank details, and private messages all travel across the internet without any protection. If someone intercepts that data, they can read every word. This is especially risky on public WiFi, where cybercriminals could be watching everything you do.

Technically speaking, HTTPS is not a separate protocol from HTTP. They both transfer data over the internet, but HTTPS adds a layer of security through encryption with SSL/TLS certificates.  

• HTTP sends data in plain text. This means anyone who intercepts the connection, for example, on public WiFi, can read everything you send or receive, including passwords, credit card details, and private messages. Older websites may still use HTTP, but it offers no protection against eavesdropping or tampering. 

• HTTPS encrypts all data before sending it. Even if someone intercepts it, they'll just see gibberish. HTTPS also verifies that the website you’re connecting to is genuine, helping protect you from fake or malicious sites. 

Your browser makes it easy to tell if you're on a secure site. Just look at the padlock in the address bar.  

Look for these signs of HTTPS: 

• A padlock icon in your browser’s address bar 

• "https://" at the start of the web address 

• Some browsers may display a green "Secure" label 

Warning signs of HTTP: 

• No padlock icon 

• Just "http://" in the address (no “s”) 

• Modern browsers might show "Not Secure" warnings 

In short, HTTPS is now the standard for safe, trustworthy browsing, and if a site isn’t using it, think twice before entering any personal information. 

Every time you go online, you’re sending and receiving data, often without realising how sensitive it is. That’s where HTTPS comes in. It protects your information and keeps cybercriminals at bay. 

Let’s look at why HTTPS matters more than ever.

Data protection

Every time you go online, you're potentially sharing:

• Login details for your social media and email accounts, like usernames and passwords, that could be accessed if your connection isn’t secure.

• Banking information and credit card numbers used for online purchases, bill payments, and banking apps. 

• Personal messages and photos that you might not want others to see. 

• Location data and browsing habits, including information about where you are and the websites you visit, can be tracked or misused by third parties. 

Because HTTP transmits data in plain text, anyone with the right software can read it and potentially steal your login details and personal information. Without HTTPS, this information travels unprotected across the internet.

Preventing cyberattacks

Cybercriminals are constantly hunting for unencrypted data to steal. They set up fake WiFi hotspots in cafes, intercept mobile signals, and monitor network traffic, all in hopes of capturing valuable information.

By using HTTPS, all data sent between your browser and the website is encrypted, making it unreadable to anyone trying to intercept it. This encryption helps block hackers and keeps your private information safe from cyberattacks before it even leaves your device.

Builds trust and boosts website credibility

As a user, you expect websites to protect your data, and HTTPS plays a big role in building that trust. Seeing the padlock icon or “Secure” label in your browser’s address bar reassures you that the site is genuine, and your data is protected. 

For online businesses, trust is vital. A secure site not only keeps visitors engaged but also makes them more likely to complete a purchase or sign up for a service. In contrast, a site that still uses HTTP can look outdated or untrustworthy, sending potential customers away before they even click past the homepage. 

Read our Online Safety Guide with easy tips and best practices to keep your personal data secure every time you go online.  

Using HTTPS is one of the best ways to protect your personal data, but it works best with a broadband connection you can trust. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or working from home, you need fast, reliable, and secure internet.  

Our broadband comes with Essential Security built in, protecting every device on your home WiFi at no extra cost. It blocks hackers, scams, and harmful websites to keep you safe. Best of all? This protection is automatic and always active on every device connected to your home WiFi, no setup required. 

Ready to get secure and superfast broadband? Check our deals and enter your postcode to see what’s available in your area.