HTTPS Examples: The 3 Security Protocols to Know (2023)

HTTPS Examples

Imagine sending a secret letter through a town where everyone knows everyone. You could put it in a standard envelope, but anyone along the way might peek inside. HTTPS is like sending that letter in a tamper-proof, sealed envelope that only the intended recipient can open.

Summary

HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP, the language used between web browsers and servers. It encrypts data, ensuring confidential and safe communication on the internet.

Example 1: Netscape Communications invents HTTPS (1994). Netscape, a pioneer in early web technologies, introduced HTTPS with the release of Netscape Navigator 1.0 to ensure secure online transactions.

Example 2: Google promotes HTTPS usage (2014). Google announced that HTTPS would become a ranking factor in their search algorithms. This was a significant step towards promoting and encouraging a safer internet environment.

Example 3: Chrome marks HTTP as ‘Not Secure’ (2018). In an effort to push more websites to adopt HTTPS, Google’s Chrome browser started to mark all HTTP sites as ‘Not Secure’ from July 2018, further highlighting the importance of secure connections.

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HTTPS Examples In-Depth

Netscape Communications invents HTTPS (1994)

It’s 1994, grunge is at its peak, and a curious thing called the Internet is slowly beginning to pique the interest of the wider public. While most people are getting used to the screeching sounds of their dial-up modems, a group of tech visionaries at a company called Netscape Communications is about to change the digital landscape forever. They introduce HTTPS, a secure communication protocol that promises to redefine online privacy.

Why HTTPS? Well, picture the Internet as an open marketplace. In its early days, the Internet was bustling with information exchange, but it was as open as a public park. Just as you wouldn’t discuss private matters in the middle of a crowded area, sensitive information like credit card numbers or personal data had no business being out in the open on the Internet. The need for a secure communication channel was apparent.

Enter Netscape Communications. Based in Mountain View, California, Netscape was a trailblazer, a company that could see the shape of the digital world to come. As one of the key players in the development of the early web, Netscape was instrumental in creating the tools and protocols that helped shape the Internet we know today.

Their revolutionary invention? HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. Launched with Netscape Navigator 1.0, HTTPS was the knight in shining armor for online security. Imagine it as a secret handshake or a private conversation in a crowded room. With HTTPS, data exchanged between your browser and a website is encrypted, turning your private conversation into a series of whispers only you and the website can understand.

This technology was a game-changer. Suddenly, online shopping, banking, and other sensitive transactions became much safer. Netscape’s HTTPS acted as the guardian of the web, ensuring our personal data, passwords, and credit card information stayed safe and confidential.

In a world that was waking up to the World Wide Web, Netscape gave us a way to navigate its vastness securely. HTTPS might not have been a flashy new website or a cool new digital gadget, but it was the sturdy backbone, the silent protector that the growing digital universe desperately needed.

Fast forward to today, and HTTPS has become the norm. It’s hard to imagine an Internet without it. It’s a testament to Netscape’s vision, a legacy that continues to secure our digital lives, even as the Internet has grown beyond what anyone in 1994 could have imagined.

Netscape Communications may no longer exist in its original form, but its impact is undeniable. The invention of HTTPS was a defining moment in Internet history, one that continues to protect our online communications nearly three decades later. As we browse, shop, and explore the web, let’s remember to tip our hats to Netscape, the company that made the Internet a safer place to be.

Google promotes HTTPS usage (2014)

Fast forward two decades from Netscape’s pioneering work, the year is 2014. Our digital world has grown leaps and bounds. The Internet is no longer a novelty, but an integral part of our daily lives. Amidst this digital revolution, one company stands out as the modern beacon of the online world: Google.

By 2014, Google had already become synonymous with the Internet for many. It wasn’t just a search engine anymore; it was the gateway to the digital universe. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility. As a steward of the web, Google realized it had a vital role in making the Internet not only accessible but also secure. So, it turned its gaze to HTTPS.

Remember our analogy of the private conversation in a bustling café? Well, Google decided it was time to encourage everyone to have those private, secure chats. It started promoting HTTPS, giving a gentle nudge to websites around the world to adopt this secure protocol.

Now, you might wonder, how did Google encourage this move? The answer lies in the one thing every website craves – visibility. Google announced that it would consider HTTPS as a ranking factor in its search algorithm. In layman’s terms, websites using HTTPS would have a better chance of showing up higher in search results.

Think of it as a VIP pass. Not only does HTTPS offer security, but now it also gets you to the front of the line. This was a smart move from Google. By linking HTTPS to search rankings, Google incentivized website owners to make the switch. It was like offering a free dessert to promote healthier meals; the main course might be good for you, but the dessert makes it irresistible.

The impact of Google’s decision rippled across the online world. Website owners started adopting HTTPS in droves, eager to maintain their visibility on the search engine. The web began to transform into a more secure space, just as Google had intended.

Google’s push for HTTPS marked a significant turning point. The protocol, born out of the need for secure transactions, had now grown into a standard for all websites. Google, the modern guardian of the Internet, had successfully championed a safer, more secure web.

Looking back at 2014, it was a watershed year for online security. Google didn’t just promote HTTPS; it changed the conversation around it. By tying security with visibility, Google ensured that the Internet would continue to evolve as a space where users could feel safe and secure. In the grand tale of the Internet, 2014 will always be remembered as the year HTTPS came to the forefront, all thanks to Google’s insightful push.

Chrome marks HTTP as ‘Not Secure’ (2018)

We’ve traveled from 1994, witnessing the birth of HTTPS with Netscape, and observed Google’s firm nudge to the world in 2014, encouraging the adoption of HTTPS. But our journey doesn’t end there. Let’s fast forward to 2018, where we find an important landmark in our HTTPS timeline.

By this time, Google had been pushing for HTTPS for several years, but it was ready to make a louder statement. Enter Google’s brainchild, Chrome – one of the world’s most popular web browsers. Imagine Chrome as a digital tour guide, helping you navigate the vast landscape of the Internet. And just like any good guide, Chrome wants your journey to be as safe as possible.

To ensure this, starting from July 2018, Google made a significant move. Chrome began marking all HTTP sites as ‘Not Secure.’ Imagine walking into a restaurant and seeing a sign that reads, “This establishment failed its health inspection.” You’d probably turn around and walk right out, wouldn’t you? That’s the kind of message Chrome wanted to send to its users about HTTP sites.

The message was clear – if a website was still using HTTP, Chrome wouldn’t hesitate to label it as ‘Not Secure.’ This was a significant step up from Google’s previous measures. While HTTPS was rewarded before, now HTTP was actively being penalized.

Think of it as a town switching from promoting recycling to enforcing penalties for littering. The end goal is the same – a cleaner environment – but the approach has shifted from encouraging the positive to discouraging the negative.

Why was this important? In essence, this move helped raise public awareness about the importance of using secure connections on the web. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol used for transmitting data between a web browser and a website. However, it does not provide encryption, which means that data exchanged between the user’s browser and the website can be intercepted and tampered with by attackers.

By marking HTTP sites as ‘Not Secure,’ Chrome aimed to inform and educate users about potential security risks associated with non-encrypted connections. This visual indication of insecurity served as a reminder that any information shared on an HTTP site could be vulnerable to interception, including personal details, login credentials, and financial information.

Google’s intention was to encourage website owners to adopt HTTPS by prioritizing user security. With the ‘Not Secure’ label, users could make more informed decisions about their online activities, favoring websites that provided a secure browsing experience.

Moreover, this move by Chrome also motivated website owners and administrators to prioritize the implementation of SSL/TLS certificates to secure their sites. It promoted a shift towards a more secure web environment by making it clear that HTTPS was the new standard and HTTP was no longer considered sufficient.

As a result of this initiative, website owners became more conscious of the potential risks and sought to protect their users’ data by migrating to HTTPS. This widespread adoption of HTTPS contributed to an overall increase in the security and privacy of online communication, helping to mitigate the risks associated with unencrypted connections.

Conclusion

In the digital cafe that is the internet, the language of HTTPS has become the standard for secure and private conversation. From Netscape’s invention to Google’s insistence on its usage, the journey of HTTPS has been pivotal in shaping a safer internet environment. As we move forward, the importance of HTTPS and similar technologies will only grow, securing our online world one website at a time.

How to stay safe online:

• Practice Strong Password Hygiene: Use a unique and complex password for each account. A password manager can help generate and store them. In addition, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available.
• Invest in Your Safety: Buying the best antivirus for Windows 11 is key for your online security. A high-quality antivirus like Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender will safeguard your PC from various online threats, including malware, ransomware, and spyware.
• Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Be cautious when receiving suspicious communications that ask for personal information. Legitimate businesses will never ask for sensitive details via email or text. Before clicking on any links, ensure the sender's authenticity.
• Stay Informed. We cover a wide range of cybersecurity topics on our blog. And there are several credible sources offering threat reports and recommendations, such as NIST, CISA, FBI, ENISA, Symantec, Verizon, Cisco, Crowdstrike, and many more.

Happy surfing!

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