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# What is the HTTPS protocol?

## The Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) 

HTTPS is a secure version of [HTTP](https://help.ex2.com/en/article/what-is-the-http-protocol-7fcufm/?bust=1784568453676), the main protocol used to exchange data between a web browser and a website. 

Unlike HTTP, HTTPS is encrypted to increase the security of data transfer. This is especially important when users transmit sensitive data. For example, you can access a bank account or a health insurance provider online.

All websites should use HTTPS for security reasons. This is especially true for sites requiring login credentials. Several Web browsers, such as Chrome, identify websites that do not use HTTPS differently from those that are secure. 

A lock in the address bar usually indicates that a web page is secure. Web browsers are increasingly taking security seriously. Google Chrome and other browsers now flag all non-https websites as unsafe.