Port 80 and Port 443

Difference Between Port 80 and Port 443 – HTTP vs HTTPS

If you have an interest in network security or web development, you’ve probably noticed various port numbers, particularly port 80 and port 443.

Port 80 is utilized for HTTP traffic, while port 443 is designated for HTTPS. This article will delve into the disparities between Port 80 and Port 443, the process of opening them, and the circumstances in which redirecting traffic from port 80 to 443 may be necessary.

PORT 80 AND PORT 443

 

What is Port 80?

Port 80 serves as a communication endpoint on a computer network specifically designed for web traffic. It is the standard port for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the protocol responsible for sending and receiving web pages on the internet. Whenever you visit a website through a web browser, the interaction between your browser and the web server usually takes place via port 80.

Port 80 functions within the Internet protocol suite’s application layer, which is responsible for direct interaction with software applications. When a request is sent via HTTP over Port 80, the hosting server of the website being accessed receives the request and subsequently sends back the necessary website data.

Your browser can use port 80 through the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). When you enter a URL into your browser, it typically assumes a port 80 reference. For instance, typing http://www.example.com instructs your browser to utilize the HTTP protocol and, by default, connect through port 80.

Port 80 lacks encryption, making data vulnerable to interception by unauthorized parties. As a result, many websites have transitioned to HTTPS and port 443 for secure, encrypted connections over the past ten years.

 

What is Port 443?

Port 443 serves as the default port for HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), facilitating secure network communications. It operates on the HTTPS protocol, an encrypted version of HTTP, and incorporates robust security features such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) technology.

TLS protocols are employed by Port 443 to establish a secure link between clients and servers. This encryption ensures that any data exchanged through this port remains confidential, safeguarding sensitive information from potential interception.

The significance of Port 443 is evident in e-commerce and online banking platforms, where critical data like credit card details and banking information are shared securely. Additionally, this port is utilized for various services necessitating secure connections, such as email servers and VPNs, highlighting its importance in maintaining a protected network environment.

Difference between port 80 and port 443:

Port 80 and port 443 are essential for web communication, with the primary distinction being the varying levels of online security they offer for data transmission across different services. Let’s delve into the specific purposes of each port.

Protocol and Security:

Port 80 is linked to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, facilitating unencrypted communication between web browsers and servers. Conversely, port 443 is associated with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, an enhanced version of HTTP that utilizes TLS encryption to safeguard data exchanged between the web browser and server. Data transmitted through port 80 is vulnerable to interception and theft due to its plaintext nature, while information sent over HTTPS via port 443 is encrypted, ensuring a secure communication channel that protects sensitive data from malicious interception.

 

URL and URL Scheme:

In the past, port 80 was commonly utilized for browsing the web and communication, particularly for non-confidential data or public content. Nevertheless, in modern web usage, port 80 is gradually being replaced by port 443. This shift is a result of the widespread implementation of HTTPS, which has made secure web browsing the norm for all online activities.

In contrast, HTTPS necessitates the installation of an SSL/TLS certificate on the server. This certificate is used to authenticate the server to the client and facilitates data encryption. It guarantees that the client is communicating with the correct server and not a fraudulent one.

 

How to open port 80 and port 443:

Configuring the firewall on your Linux operating system is necessary to open ports 80 and port 443. The specific steps for this process can differ based on the distribution, firewall options, and management tool being utilized.

We will offer guidance for two popular firewall tools:

  1. ufw (utilized by Ubuntu and certain Debian-based systems)
  2. Firewalld (utilized by Fedora and certain Red Hat-based systems).

 

1. UFW (Uncomplicated firewall):

UFW install:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install ufw

 

Enable UFW enable:

sudo ufw enable

 

Check UFW status:

sudo ufw status

 

2. Using Firewalld:

Firewalld in Feodora & CentOS:

Feodora: sudo dnf installl firewalld

CentOS: sudo yum install firewalld

 

Start and enable Firewalld:

sudo systemctl start firewalld

sudo systemctl enable firewalld

 

Open port 80 and port 443:

sudo firewalld-cmd – add-port=80/tcp – permanent

sudo firewalld-cms – add-port=443/tcp-premanent

 

Reload firwalld to apply:

sudo firewalld-cmd -reload

 

Check the status:

sudo firewalld-cmd -list-all

Hope this Infromation Helps:

 

Keep in mind that these guidelines are broad and might require adjustments depending on the Linux distribution you are using. Furthermore, if you are utilizing a different firewall management tool (like iptables), the commands will vary. It is advisable to consult your distribution’s documentation for precise and current details.