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12. How does HTTPS work?

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It is a protocol for transmitting data securely over the internet by using encryption. HTTPS is used to protect sensitive data such as credit card information, login credentials, and other personal information from being intercepted and stolen by malicious actors.

When you visit a website using HTTPS, your web browser initiates an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) handshake with the website's server. This handshake process involves a series of steps that authenticate the identity of the server and encrypt the data that is being transmitted between the server and your web browser.

Here are the basic steps of the SSL handshake process:

1. Your web browser sends a request to the website's server to establish a secure connection.
2. The website's server responds by sending its SSL certificate to your web browser.
3. Your web browser verifies the SSL certificate to ensure that the website's server is legitimate and that the certificate is valid.
4. Once the SSL certificate is verified, your web browser and the website's server establish an encrypted connection that can be used to transmit data securely.

In summary, HTTPS works by using encryption to protect the data that is transmitted between a web browser and a website's server. This encryption helps to ensure that sensitive data cannot be intercepted and stolen by malicious actors, making it an essential protocol for online security.