#HTTPS

The padlock icon and 'https' in your browser signal a secure connection, but many people misunderstand what that actually guarantees. This guide explains HTTP vs HTTPS, what encryption protects, and the crucial thing the lock does not mean.

HTTPS and its certificates are what make the web's padlock possible. This guide explains how HTTPS encrypts your connection, what an SSL/TLS certificate proves (and doesn't), and why the padlock is not a guarantee of safety.