How it works: HTTPS

https work process

With the rapid development of the Internet, we increasingly rely on the Internet to carry out various activities, including information transfer, financial transactions, business cooperation, etc. However, the need for privacy and data security on the Internet is also increasingly urgent. In order to protect user privacy and ensure data security, the https protocol came into being. This article will introduce the workflow of https and its importance in ensuring Internet security.

1. What is https

https, the full name is "HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure", which is the Hypertext Transfer Security Protocol. It is a secure transmission protocol based on the HTTP protocol. Its working principle is similar to the HTTP protocol, but by using encryption technology, the transmitted data is more secure and reliable.

The core of https protocol is SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) protocol. This protocol encrypts data before data transmission so that third parties cannot directly read the content. At the same time, it also uses digital certificates to verify the identities of both communicating parties to ensure the credibility of data transmission.

2. https workflow

1. The client initiates a connection request

When the user enters an https URL in the browser, the client A connection request will be initiated to the server. This request contains the encryption algorithm and protocol version supported by the client.

2. The server sends a digital certificate

After the server receives the client's connection request, it will return a response containing the digital certificate. A digital certificate is an electronic document issued by an authority that proves the identity of a server. It contains the server's public key, the server's domain name information, and the signature of the authority that issued the certificate.

3. Client verifies digital certificate

After the client receives the digital certificate sent by the server, it will verify it. First, the client will check the validity of the certificate, including whether the certificate has expired, whether the signature is valid, etc. The client then looks for a list of pre-installed root certification authorities (CAs) in the operating system or browser to ensure that the issuing authority of the digital certificate is trusted.

4. Generate Shared Key

Once the client is authenticated, it will generate a temporary shared key that is used to encrypt subsequent data transmission. This shared key will be encrypted using the server's public key and can only be decrypted by the server's private key.

5. Transmitting encrypted data

The client uses the shared key to encrypt the data to be transmitted and then sends it to the server. After the server receives the encrypted data, it uses the private key to decrypt it. In this way, the security and integrity of data during transmission are ensured.

3. The Importance of https

The https protocol has irreplaceable importance in Internet security. The following are several important points worthy of attention:

1. Data encrypted transmission: The https protocol ensures the security of sensitive information during transmission by encrypting data transmission and prevents data from being stolen or tampered with.
2. Authentication: The https protocol verifies the identity of the server through a digital certificate to ensure that the user is connecting to a certified and trusted server.
3. SEO optimization: Search engines prefer the retrieval and ranking of https websites. Using the https protocol can improve the credibility of the website and increase the website's exposure and traffic.
4. Improved trust: For websites involving sensitive information such as financial transactions, account logins, and personal privacy, using the https protocol can improve user trust and reduce the risk of information leakage.
5. Compliance requirements: The regulations of some countries and regions have put forward corresponding requirements for information security and privacy protection. The use of https protocol can meet compliance requirements.

Summary:

The https protocol is one of the important means to ensure Internet security. It protects user privacy and data security through encryption technology and authentication mechanisms. As the Internet continues to develop, more and more websites are beginning to use the https protocol to ensure user security and trust. As Internet users, we should remain vigilant and choose websites that use https protocol to protect the security of personal information.

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