What are the benefits and challenges of using HTTPS for web applications?

1 Enhanced security

The most obvious benefit of HTTPS is that it protects the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of the data transmitted over the web. HTTPS uses Transport Layer Security (TLS), a cryptographic protocol that encrypts the data with a symmetric key and verifies the identity of the server with a digital certificate. This prevents anyone from eavesdropping, tampering, or impersonating the web application. HTTPS also protects against some common attacks, such as man-in-the-middle, cross-site scripting, or cookie hijacking.

2 Improved performance

Another benefit of HTTPS is that it can improve the performance of web applications by enabling some modern features and technologies. For example, HTTPS allows web applications to use HTTP/2, a newer version of HTTP that reduces latency and bandwidth consumption. HTTPS also enables web applications to use Service Workers, a type of script that can run in the background and provide offline functionality, push notifications, or caching. Moreover, HTTPS can boost the ranking of web applications in search engines, as some of them favor secure sites over insecure ones.

3 Increased complexity

However, HTTPS also comes with some challenges that make it more complex to implement and maintain than HTTP. One of the main challenges is the need to obtain and renew a valid digital certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). This can involve some costs, technical requirements, and administrative procedures. Another challenge is the need to configure and update the web server and the TLS protocol to ensure optimal security and compatibility. This can require some skills, resources, and testing.

4 Potential errors

A related challenge of HTTPS is the possibility of encountering errors or warnings that can affect the functionality or usability of the web application. For instance, if the digital certificate is expired, revoked, or self-signed, the web browser will display a warning message that can deter or confuse the users. Similarly, if the web application contains mixed content, which means some resources are loaded over HTTP while others are loaded over HTTPS, the web browser will block or alert the users about the insecure content. These errors or warnings can damage the reputation and trustworthiness of the web application.

5 Compatibility issues

Another challenge of HTTPS is that it may not be compatible with some older or legacy systems, devices, or browsers. For example, some older versions of Internet Explorer do not support TLS 1.2 or higher, which is the recommended version for HTTPS. Some older mobile devices or operating systems may not support HTTPS at all, or may have limited support for some features or technologies. Some firewalls, proxies, or antivirus software may interfere with HTTPS traffic or cause errors. These compatibility issues can limit the accessibility or functionality of the web application for some users.

6 Privacy limitations

Finally, HTTPS does not guarantee complete privacy for the web application or its users. While HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between the web browser and the web server, it does not hide the metadata, such as the domain name, the IP address, or the size and timing of the packets. This metadata can still reveal some information about the web application or its users, such as their location, identity, or behavior. Moreover, HTTPS does not prevent the web application or its third-party providers from collecting, storing, or sharing personal or sensitive data from the users, such as their cookies, preferences, or history.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?