HTTPS
n.n. Stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. A set of rules that computers use to send information safely over the internet. It protects your data, like passwords or credit card numbers, from being stolen.
n. Abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. An extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) used for secure communication over a computer network, specifically the internet. It employs encryption protocols to ensure data integrity and privacy between the user's browser and the server.
Always check for HTTPS in the address bar before entering your password.
The website was flagged as insecure because it used standard HTTP instead of the encrypted HTTPS protocol.
Modern web browsers now prioritize HTTPS connections by default, warning users of potential security risks when a site fails to provide a valid SSL certificate for encrypted data transmission.
An initialism formed from Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It was introduced by Netscape Communications in 1994 for its Navigator browser.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated July 22, 2026