Western Governors University (WGU) BUIT3000 C724 Information Systems Management Practice Exam

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It is an extension of HTTP and is used to secure communications over a computer network. The security provided by HTTPS comes from two protocols: SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security).

Using SSL and TLS, HTTPS encrypts the data transmitted between the web server and the client (usually a web browser). This encryption ensures that any data exchanged—such as personal information, payment details, or login credentials—remains confidential and cannot be easily intercepted or tampered with by third parties. Additionally, TLS is the successor to SSL and is the more modern protocol used in practice today, which emphasizes the importance of using the most current technology for optimal security.

Understanding that HTTPS relies on both SSL and TLS for its security enables users to appreciate the layers of protection provided against various cyber threats, making their online transactions and communications significantly more secure.