is there really a security difference between http:// and https://? Should I not browse http:// sites unless I’m in incognito mode?
In: Technology
HTTP means that you and the website are sending postcards back and forth. Any mail carrier could just read the postcards, if they wanted, before delivering it to you. Sending your credit card number on a postcard would be horribly insecure.
HTTPS means that you and the website are putting each postcard into a metal box and locking it, then passing those locked boxes back and forth. A mail carrier still knows that you and the website are communicating with each other, but all they can do is look at the locked box and shrug before passing it along.
HTTP sends all requests as plain text, including any data you posted. Thus, anybody could eavesdrop on the connection and see everything you are doing, including passwords, credit card numbers, etc. HTTPS requires your browser to encrypt the posted information before sending it so anybody eavesdropping would just see nonsense, but the server knows how to decrypt it once received. Incognito mode does nothing for security, it mostly just keeps cookies and file cache separate and deletes it when you close the browser so someone can’t see your browsing history afterwards
Yes, there’s a security difference. HTTPS encrypt and secure the data connection between your device and the website. You should not make purchases or enter any sensitive information e.g. credit cards on HTTP sites. Simple browsing is fine, whether you are in incognito mode or not. Incognito mode doesn’t mean that the websites you are viewing are more secured.
HTTPS encrypts your web activity, making it only visible to you and whatever service you are using, HTTP is not.
Incognito mode will do nothing for your security. It doesn’t encrypt traffic to/from websites.
When there is a “s” in the “https” that means it a secure website. Same thing when you see the little padlock icon by your webadress
Incognito mode, regardless of http or https, will have your browser start a new conversation session with the website without the identifying information it usually sends. On top of that, all incognito activity will be erased from your browser history (not the website logs).
Keep in mind that the new incognito session may produce identifying information. If, while browsing incognito, you login to Facebook, then the website (obviously) knows who you are. What incognito does is set apart the usual identifying info, so you could login to an alternative account and it would not affect your regular browsing sessions. This is actually useful when mom needs to use your laptop to check her emails quickly.
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