HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure.
The HTTP protocol allows a browser to connect to websites in order to view their content. HTTPS combines the HTTP protocol with an authentication certificate for the site visited. Thanks to this protocol, the data exchanged with a site is encrypted.
SSL is the acronym for Secure Sockets Layers. It is an encryption protocol used on the Internet to secure the information exchanged. SSL is the first version of this security protocol. TLS (Transport Layer Security) has taken over to ensure even more security.
You can verify that this protocol has been implemented on a site by checking the address indicated in your browser. You will see a green padlock preceding the URL of the site, which begins with https://. You can even click on this padlock to get more information about the certificate.
As a user, it is very important that you never enter banking data or other confidential information on sites that are not secure.
HTTPS has become the standard today. In the more or less near future, unsecured sites will be penalized, whether by search engines or by Internet users who prefer to explore sites where the security of their information is guaranteed.
To go further, check out the guide How to upgrade your WordPress site to HTTPS.
