What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is a data transfer protocol on the internet that operates without encryption. HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is an extension of HTTP that uses SSL/TLS to encrypt transmitted information.

Main differences:

• Security: HTTP transmits data in plain text, which is vulnerable to interception and tampering. HTTPS encrypts data, protecting against eavesdropping and "man-in-the-middle" attacks.
• Port: HTTP typically uses port 80, HTTPS uses port 443.
• Certificates: HTTPS requires a digital certificate to verify the authenticity of the website.

Example: entering a password on a website via HTTP can be intercepted, whereas via HTTPS it is protected.