How do HTTP and HTTPS differ primarily?

The primary difference between HTTP and HTTPS lies in the use of encryption for data protection in HTTPS. HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, employs a protocol called TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt the communication between the client and the server. This encryption ensures that any data exchanged during the session, such as login credentials or sensitive personal information, is secure from eavesdroppers and man-in-the-middle attacks.

In contrast, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) does not utilize encryption, meaning that the data transmitted is sent in plain text and can be intercepted easily by attackers. This lack of security makes HTTP less suitable for handling sensitive information, particularly in an age where data breaches are increasingly common.

The other options do not accurately capture the fundamental distinction between HTTP and HTTPS. For example, speed is not a primary differentiating factor, as HTTPS can often be slower than HTTP due to the overhead of establishing a secure connection. Additionally, both protocols support multimedia content, and the claim that HTTPS is only for local servers is incorrect; HTTPS is widely used over the internet for secure communications across various types of servers.