The small lock symbol in the address bar looks inconspicuous, but is a real security guarantee. HTTPS ensures encrypted communication on the internet and is indispensable for website operators. But what is really behind it and how can you make the best use of HTTPS? In this article, we explain in practical terms why HTTPS is important, how you can implement it and which best practices you should follow.
Why HTTPS is essential
HTTP has long been the standard for communication on the Internet. However, it has a crucial weakness: all data is transmitted in plain text. An attacker who gets between the sender and receiver can easily intercept this information. This is particularly critical when it comes to passwords, credit card details or personal information.
With HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) you can tackle this problem: Encryption via TLS (Transport Layer Security) or the older SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that no one can read the data en route.
Concrete advantages of HTTPS
- Protection against man-in-the-middle attacks: Without HTTPS, hackers can intercept and manipulate data traffic.
- Better Google ranking: Google favors secure sites and rewards HTTPS with better rankings.
- More trust among users: Browsers such as Chrome mark insecure sites, which can deter potential visitors.
- Data protection compliance: In many countries, the protection of personal data is mandatory. HTTPS helps to meet these requirements.
How does an HTTPS connection work?
The process of an HTTPS connection takes place in several steps:
- The handshake: When an HTTPS page is called up, the browser sends a request to the server.
- Authentication: The server sends its SSL/TLS certificate, which has been verified by a Certificate Authority (CA).
- Key exchange: The browser and the server generate a common encryption layer.
- Secure data transmission: All subsequent requests are sent and received in encrypted form.
Which SSL/TLS certificate is the right one?
There are different types of SSL certificates, which differ in trust level and price:
- Domain Validation (DV): Simple protection of the domain, sufficient for smaller websites or blogs.
- Organization Validation (OV): The identity of the company is checked, useful for company websites.
- Extended Validation (EV): The highest security level with visible confirmation in the address bar.
There are also free alternatives: Let’s Encrypt offers free SSL certificates that are particularly suitable for smaller websites or start-ups.
Implement HTTPS correctly
Step-by-step instructions
- Request SSL certificate: Get a certificate from a trusted CA or use Let’s Encrypt.
- Install certificate: The installation process varies depending on the server type. Specific commands are required for Apache or Nginx.
- Force HTTPS: Ensure that all HTTP requests are automatically redirected to HTTPS.
- Avoid mixed content: Do not load any insecure HTTP elements (e.g. images or scripts) on an HTTPS page.
- Activate HSTS: HTTP Strict Transport Security prevents users from accidentally accessing the insecure HTTP version.
Practical example: Setting up HTTPS with Certbot
Certbot is a popular tool for automating Let’s Encrypt certificates. A simple implementation on an Apache server looks like this:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache
sudo certbot --apacheThat’s it! Your server is now secured with HTTPS.
Common errors and their solutions
1. Unsafe content (mixed content)
Problem: HTTP resources such as images or scripts are loaded on the page. Solution: Make sure that all resources are loaded via HTTPS.
2. Expired certificates
Problem: A certificate has not been renewed and causes an error message in the browser. Solution: Automate the renewal with Certbot:
sudo certbot renew --dry-run3. Misconfigured forwarding
Problem: HTTP does not redirect correctly to HTTPS. Solution: You can set a redirect in the Apache configuration file:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
What does the future hold?
Security is constantly evolving. New technologies such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH) ensure even more data protection. Browsers are increasingly relying on automatic HTTPS updates to prevent unencrypted connections.
Conclusion: HTTPS is mandatory
Whether for blogs, companies or online stores: HTTPS is not just a nice extra, but a necessity. It protects data, increases user trust and improves your search engine ranking. If you haven’t switched to HTTPS yet, you should do so as soon as possible – it’s easier than you think!
