Why do URLs start with HTTPS?
The short answer
A web URL that begins with https:// uses HTTP protected by Transport Layer Security, or TLS. TLS helps protect data in transit and helps a browser verify the server it is connecting to.
What the “s” means
The final S stands for Secure. The browser and server use certificates and cryptography to establish a protected connection. This matters especially when a page handles passwords or payment information.
What HTTPS does not guarantee
HTTPS protects the connection; it does not prove that the site's content is honest or that the person behind a site is trustworthy. Check the domain name and browser warnings, and do not enter personal information into suspicious pages.