There are an endless amount of security threats out there. But, there are also various things you can do to stay safe online. For example, when visiting a site, the site should have HTTPS (Hypertext transfer protocol secure) since it means more peace of mind for you. But what is HTTPS, and how can you enable it on Firefox?
What Is HTTPS?
Hypertext transfer protocol is a safer protocol that is used when a site and a browser exchange information. When the site you’re on uses HTTPS, that means that the data is encrypted for better security and is not in plain text. HTTPS is the same protocol as HTTP, but with an S that stands for Secure, making data transfer safer.
To check if the site you’re visiting is secure, click on the padlock. You should see a message letting you know that the site you’re on is secure.
If you were to visit a site with HTTP, your information could easily be picked up. They would only need free software to get the job done. HTTP does not encrypt your data, making it highly vulnerable. That’s why it’s not recommended that you connect to public WiFi.
How to Enable HTTPS in Firefox
To turn on HTTPS in Firefox, click on the three-lined menu and click on options. In Options, click on Privacy and Security and scroll all the way down until you see HTTP-Only Mode. Select the Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows.
If you only want to turn on HTTPS while you’re using a private tab, there’s an option for that too. With the HTTPS option, even if you access a site through an HTTP source, you’ll be redirected to the HTTPS version. If the site you want to visit does not support HTTPS, Firefox will warn you about it. You’ll see two options at the bottom right; Continue to HTTP Site or Go Back. Choose wisely.
Final Thoughts
Who doesn’t want to keep their information safe, right? With the HTTPS option on, you’ll always be sure that the site you access will be a secure one.
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