Most modern websites use HTTPS to secure communication between the browser and the server, encrypting data in transit to protect user sessions, credentials, and sensitive inputs.
However, encryption alone doesn't guarantee that the connection will always be secure, as accessing a site without 'https' or through old HTTP links can lead to insecure requests and potential man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
To address this risk, HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) comes into play, serving as a browser-level instruction that enforces the use of HTTPS when connecting to a site, without any exceptions or fallback to HTTP.
Understanding the difference between HSTS and HTTPS, and correctly implementing them, is crucial for enhancing web security and safeguarding websites against potential vulnerabilities.