HTTPS (adding an S for “secure” to HTTP) is an internet communication protocol that protects your users’ connections to your website. Data sent using HTTPS is secured in that HTTPS provides 3 layers of protection:
- Encryption: while the user is browsing a website, nobody can see their conversations, track their activities in the website, or steal their information.
- Integrity: data cannot be tampered with as it travels from your website to the user’s computer and vice versa.
- Authentication: ensuring that your users are really communicating with your website. This layer of protection prevents man-in-the-middle attacks and stops attempts at attracting your users to connect to a fake site or to download falsified files.
While the purpose of enhancing security is certainly a very good reason to move your website to HTTPS, consider that this could also slightly improve your website’s ranking.
