HTTPS

HTTPS

Hypertext Transmission Protocol Secure (or Hypertext Transmission Protocol Security) is HTTP over SSL. In reality HTTPS is more often HTTP over TLS.

HTTPS is used when web page information needs to be kept secure and private, such as when dealing with private, commercial or financial information across the internet. HTTPS is essential for all e-commerce applications.

The default port for HTTPS is port 443, but theoretically there is no reason why a site might not use a different port provided the client was aware of it.

HTTPS and SHTTP are not the same, although both provide enhanced security above that of HTTP.

For more information see:

• www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2818.txt - HTTPS is defined by RFC 2818.
• http://everything.explained.at/HTTPS/ - HTTPS explained.