HTTPS Demystified
Understand how the padlock keeps your data safe
Why HTTPS Matters
Every time you see that padlock, a cryptographic handshake happens in milliseconds. Let's demystify what's really going on.
The Coffee Shop Problem
Imagine you're at a coffee shop, logging into your bank. Without encryption, anyone on the same WiFi network could see exactly what you're sending...
Encryption
How symmetric and asymmetric encryption protect your data
TLS Handshake
The dance that happens before any data flows
Certificates
How you know a server is who it claims to be
Attacks
What attackers try and why HTTPS stops them
💡 Key Insight
HTTPS uses asymmetric encryption (slow but secure) to exchange a secret key, then switches to symmetric encryption (fast) for all the actual data. This gives you the best of both worlds: security AND speed.
The Three Guarantees
Only you and the server can read the data. Eavesdroppers see gibberish.
Data can't be modified in transit without detection.
You know you're talking to the real server, not an impostor.
Ready to see the handshake in action?
Watch how a secure connection is established step by step