Cody : Hey, have you ever wondered how websites keep your information safe when you’re online shopping or logging in?
Sasha: Hmm, I guess I just assumed it was magic?
Cody : Well, it’s not magic, but it’s pretty cool! So, when you visit a website, your browser (like Chrome or Firefox) sends a request to the website’s server. But, if someone is intercepting that request, they could steal your info.
Sasha: Whoa, that’s scary! How do websites prevent that?
Cody : That’s where HTTPS comes in! HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s like a special set of instructions that helps keep your info safe.
Sasha: Okay, got it! So, how does it work?
Cody : Well, when you visit a website with HTTPS, the website’s server sends a special certificate to your browser. This certificate is like a digital ID card that proves the website is who it says it is.
Sasha: Like a driver’s license?
Cody : Exactly! And just like how you trust a driver’s license to prove someone’s identity, your browser trusts the certificate to prove the website’s identity.
Sasha: Okay, that makes sense. But how does it keep my info safe?
Cody : Ah, that’s the best part! Once the browser trusts the certificate, it creates a secret key with the website’s server. This key is used to encrypt all the data sent between your browser and the website.
Sasha: Encrypt? Like a secret code?
Cody : Exactly! It’s like a secret code that only the browser and the website’s server can understand. So, even if someone intercepts the data, they won’t be able to read it because it’s encrypted.
Sasha: Wow, that’s really cool! I feel safer online now.