noun

HTTPS

AYCH-tee-tee-pee-ESS

HTTPS (noun) means a secured version of HTTP, in which traffic between browser and server is encrypted so that others on the network cannot read or alter it, and the site presents a certificate proving it is who it claims to be. Example: “The browser warns you when a login form is served over plain HTTP rather than HTTPS.”

noun

technical A secured version of HTTP, in which traffic between browser and server is encrypted so that others on the network cannot read or alter it, and the site presents a certificate proving it is who it claims to be.

"The browser warns you when a login form is served over plain HTTP rather than HTTPS."

"All our pages have been on HTTPS since we moved the certificate over."

How to Use HTTPS

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHTTPS means the connection between you and a website is scrambled so others cannot read it.

When to use it

Seen at the start of web addresses as https://, and represented in browsers by a padlock or similar indicator.

Memory tip

HTTPS protects data while it travels between your device and the site. It says nothing about whether the site itself is honest or well run — a fraudulent site can still use HTTPS.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

HTTP → SSL → TLS

Common pairings

served over HTTPS force HTTPS HTTPS certificate HTTPS connection

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The browser warns you when a login form is served over plain HTTP rather than _____.

Etymology

An initialism of hypertext transfer protocol secure, formed from HTTP with the addition of S for secure.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

hypertext transfer protocol secure HTTP over TLS secure HTTP

Antonyms

HTTP

Related Words

HTTP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTPS is HTTP wrapped in encryption, using TLS. The requests and responses are identical in structure; the difference is that HTTPS traffic is unreadable to anyone intercepting it and the server's identity is checked against a certificate.

Does the padlock mean a website is safe?

It means the connection is encrypted and the certificate matches the address, not that the site is trustworthy. Certificates are widely available, so a scam site can display a padlock too.

Is HTTPS the same as SSL?

Not quite. HTTPS is the web protocol; SSL, and its successor TLS, are the encryption layer HTTPS relies on. People still say "SSL certificate" out of habit, but the protocol in use today is TLS.

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