HTTPS

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is a protocol that encrypts communication between a web browser and a server. It adds encryption by TLS (Transport Layer Security) to ordinary HTTP, and it prevents eavesdropping on, tampering with, and impersonation in communication. On sites whose URL starts with https://, the browser shows the encryption state of the connection with an icon in the address bar (the design of the icon differs by browser and version).

When storing a URL in a QR code, using a URL that starts with https:// is strongly recommended. With an http:// (unencrypted) URL, communication with the site you reach after the scan is not encrypted, and there is a risk that the personal data and passwords you enter will be intercepted by a third party.

The mechanism of HTTPS is based on public key cryptography. When the browser connects to the server, the server presents an SSL/TLS certificate (which contains the public key). The browser verifies the validity of the certificate and establishes an encrypted channel. Today, almost all major websites support HTTPS, and Google also includes HTTPS among the factors it evaluates for search rankings.