HTTPS

Save

May 1, 2024 Updated June 19, 2025 22 minute read

A Comprehensive Guide to HTTPS: Securing the Digital World

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a foundational element of the modern internet, ensuring that the data exchanged between your web browser and websites remains private and integral. At its core, HTTPS is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the standard protocol for web communication. What sets HTTPS apart is its use of encryption technologies—primarily Transport Layer Security (TLS), or its predecessor Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)—to secure these communications. This means that when you see "https://" at the beginning of a web address, or a padlock icon in your browser's address bar, your connection to that website is encrypted and authenticated.

Facebook

Copy Link

SSL and TLS

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of HTTPS, covering the history, design, and implementation of the protocol. It is written by Eric Rescorla, one of the authors of the HTTPS specification.

Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, Global...

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of computer networks. It is written by James Kurose and Keith Ross, two leading experts on computer networks.

Redux in Action

Save

Covers the HTTP/2 protocol, which major revision of the HTTP protocol that improves performance and security. It is written by Marc Hedlund, a leading expert on HTTP/2.

Network Security Essentials

Save

Covers the basics of network security. It is written by William Stallings, a leading expert on network security.

The Web Application Hacker's Handbook

Save

Covers the basics of web application security from a hacker's perspective. It is written by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto, two leading experts on web security.

HTTP: The Definitive Guide

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the HTTP protocol. It is written by David Gourley and Brian Totty, two leading experts on HTTP.

The CERT® C Coding Standard, Second Edition

Save

Provides a set of rules for secure coding in C. It is written by Robert Seacord, a leading expert on secure coding.

Building Secure Software

Save

Covers the basics of software security. It is written by Gary McGraw, a leading expert on software security.

Secure Coding in C and C++

Save

Covers the basics of secure coding in C and C++. It is written by Robert Seacord, a leading expert on secure coding.

Internet Security

Save

Covers the basics of web security for developers. It is written by Mike O'Dell, a leading expert on web security.

Networking All-in-One For Dummies

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of networking. It is written by Doug Lowe, a leading expert on networking.

Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

HTTPS

A Comprehensive Guide to HTTPS: Securing the Digital World

Path to HTTPS

Share

Reading list