What is HTTPS?
In short
- HTTPS is the encrypted form of the connection between a browser and a website.
- It stops anyone on the network from reading or changing the file in transit.
- Browsers flag plain HTTP pages as not secure, and that label looks alarming on a link you sent.
HTTPS is HTTP with encryption added. When a browser loads a page over HTTPS, the data travelling between visitor and server is scrambled, so someone on the same coffee-shop Wi-Fi cannot read it or alter it. The padlock in the address bar means the browser has confirmed the encryption and checked that the certificate matches the domain.
Every NudgeHost link uses HTTPS by default, with nothing to switch on or install. That matters because modern browsers label plain HTTP pages as not secure, and a recruiter or client who sees the warning on your link will think twice before clicking it. The encryption comes from the domain's SSL certificate, which the host issues and renews for you.
Because the connection is encrypted, a link is a reasonable way to send sensitive material. A contract you upload as a PDF travels encrypted on every plan, the free one included. NudgeHost Pro adds password protection for files that need a lock, along with custom domains for zipped sites that carry the same automatic HTTPS onto your own address.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy an SSL certificate?
No. NudgeHost issues and renews the certificate automatically, custom domains included, so every link uses HTTPS without any work from you.
Is HTTPS enough to keep a file private?
HTTPS protects the file while it travels. To control who can open it, set the link to expire, which works on any plan, or add a password on Pro.
Why does my browser say a link is not secure?
Browsers show that warning on plain HTTP pages. NudgeHost links always use HTTPS, so they will not trigger it.
Put it into practice.
Drop a file and get a shareable link in seconds. Free, no card needed.