HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the foundational protocol for data communication on the web. HTTPS adds a layer of encryption via SSL/TLS, protecting data transmitted between the user’s browser and the server from interception. HTTPS is now a baseline requirement for all websites — Google uses it as a ranking signal, modern browsers flag HTTP sites as ‘Not Secure,’ and user trust depends on it. All websites should serve content exclusively over HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate.