Q: What is the difference between HTTPS and HTTP?

A:

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a foundational protocol for data communication on the web. However, it does not provide any encryption or authentication mechanisms, meaning data transmitted over HTTP can be intercepted and read by attackers.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure version of HTTP. It uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect all communication between the client and the server. It uses digital certificates to authenticate the server, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity. This makes HTTPS the standard for transmitting sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords.