What is HTTP/2

In the article “what is http/2“, we have already told about what HTTP/2 is and what its advantages over HTTP/1.1. It should be reminded that in HTTP/2 binary level of framing encodes requests and answers, then breaks them into smaller packets of information, which greatly increases the flexibility of data transfer.

Advantages of HTTP/2

The advantages of HTTP/2 can also be found in the previous article. But in short, the advantages of HTTP/2 are:

  • Binary. Therefore, the protocol is more effective during parsing and more compact when transmitting.
  • Multiplexing.
  • Prioritization. Along with multiplexing, traffic prioritization has appeared.
  • Compression of HPACK headers. HTTP/2 includes header compression, which significantly reduces the amount of auxiliary information.
  • Server Push. This feature allows the server to immediately add the necessary files to the cache without waiting for the web browser to respond so that it can be quickly output.

What is HTTPS

If any data transfer is carried out through requests via HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2, then why HTTPS is needed and what is it?

Hypertext Transport Protocol Secure protects the transmitted data from being intercepted by attackers by encrypting it. HTTPS is a protocol that ensures the confidentiality of communications between a site and a user device.

Mandatory use of this protocol requires all the information related to making payments online: payment for goods in online stores in any way (individual payment card, online payment system, etc.), payment for services via Internet banking, making payments online services (casinos, online courses, etc.) and others.

It is also recommended to use the HTTPS protocol on websites that personal request data of users for access to certain content, for example, passport number – such data must be protected from interception by intruders.

Advantages of HTTP/2

Advantages of HTTP/2 are:

  • Increased security during communicating with the user. Using HTTPS allows you to protect your data from being intercepted by cybercriminals and third parties.
  • Increasing the level of trust among advanced users. Of course, experienced users pay attention to the presence of HTTPS when paying bills online and transferring personal information.
  • Saving / increasing conversion. Given that the leading Google Chrome browser on the Internet directly marks pages that collect personal information (passwords, payment data, etc.) as unsecured, the conversion of such pages inevitably falls.
  • The presence of HTTPS as a ranking factor.

Conclusion

It is unlikely that all sites will go over HTTPS because there is no need for encryption for entertainment content consumption. Now 10% of the sites use HTTPS, including such giants as Google, PayPal, Amazon, Aliexpress, and others. There are many sites where not using HTTPS means violating the right of Internet users to the safety and security of data.

For such sites as blogs, for example, HTTPS is not necessary – there is no reception of personal or payment data, no registration, and sending of important messages. In this case, you should use HTTP/2 or at least HTTP/1.1.