The Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS

Most web addresses begin with "HTTP," which is an acronym for "Hyper Text Transfer Protocol." It's the protocol used to allow you to communicate with web sites.


"HTTPS" stands for "Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure." It means that information exchanged between you and a web site is encrypted and cannot be hijacked by someone who might want to electronically eavesdrop when you type a credit card number, a password, a social security number, or any other person information.

The purpose of the email is to encourage you to check for the "HTTPS" before you give financial information. Most web sites are not HTTPS, but when you click a link to make a purchase, many of them will direct you to an HTTPS site.


According to Verisign.com, a provider of Internet infrastructure services, Secure Socket Layer Encryption is a technology that protects Web sites and makes it easy to develop trust by means of an "SSL Certificate that enables encryption of sensitive information during online transactions. Each SSL Certificate contains unique, authenticated information about the certificate owner and a Certificate Authority verifies the identity of the certificate owner when it is issued. "

Just because a website uses such SSL encryption does not safeguard internet users from phishing and other schemes. When visiting websites that accept financial information online it is always a wise practice to make sure the online company is legitimate, has a good reputation in customer service and uses SSL encryption in their transactions.

How to Install the Apache Web Server on a Windows PC

The Apache HTTP Server is one of the most widely used web server softwares available. It is an open-source software that can be run on a large number of different operating systems, including Windows. This article will teach you how to install the Apache web server on your Windows PC.

Steps

1If you haven't done so already, download the Apache HTTPD Web Server from the Apache web site . Be sure to download the apache_2.2.16-win32-x86-no_ssl MSI installer here: (http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi)


2.Save the file to your Windows Desktop.


3.Double click the msi file saved on your Windows Desktop. You will see a window that looks like this:


4.Click "Next>".


5.Click the radio button "I accept the terms in the license agreement"


6.Click "Next>".


7.On the next window, again click "Next>".


8.Next, fill in all the text boxes with the following information:
"Network Domain": localhost
"Server Name": localhost
"Administrator's Email Address": your email address


9.Make sure the radio button "for all users, on port 80, as a service - recommended" is selected.


10.Click "Next>".


11.On the next window, click the radio button "Custom", and then click "Next>".


12.On the next window highlight "Apache HTTP Server" and click the "change" button.


13.We are going to install all the packages and scripts in the path C:\Server\Apache2\ (assuming C: is your main hard drive). So in the text box "Folder name:" type in "C:\Server\Apache2\". The ending backslash is important.


14.After you have typed in the path, click "OK" and then click "Next>". At this point, you should see a window that looks like this:


15.Click "Install" to begin the installation.


16.Once the Apache installation software has finished installing all the files on your computer, you will see a final window letting you know the installation was a success. Click the "Finish" button.

To check that the software was in installed successfully, open your favorite browser and type "http://localhost/" into the address bar.