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HTTPS secures web browsing by encrypting data between the browser and the server, ensuring privacy and trust through SSL/TLS protocols.
How HTTPS Works Step-by-Step
1. Client Request:
- The browser sends a request to the server with `https://`.
- Example command to check SSL handshake:
openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 -servername example.com
2. SSL/TLS Handshake:
- The server sends its SSL certificate.
- Verify a certificate manually:
openssl x509 -in certificate.crt -text -noout
3. Session Key Exchange:
- The browser generates a symmetric session key.
- Simulate key exchange in Linux:
openssl rand -hex 32 Generates a random 256-bit key
4. Server Decryption:
- The server decrypts the session key using its private key.
- Check private key match with certificate:
openssl rsa -noout -modulus -in private.key | openssl md5 openssl x509 -noout -modulus -in certificate.crt | openssl md5
5. Secure Connection Established:
- Symmetric encryption begins (AES, ChaCha20).
- Test TLS version support:
nmap --script ssl-enum-ciphers -p 443 example.com
6. Encrypted Data Transfer:
- All traffic is encrypted.
- Capture & analyze HTTPS traffic (decryption requires private key):
tcpdump -i eth0 -w https_traffic.pcap port 443
7. HTTPS Communication:
- Ensures integrity via HMAC.
- Force HTTPS redirect in Apache:
<VirtualHost :80> ServerName example.com Redirect permanent / https://example.com/ </VirtualHost>
You Should Know:
- Check Certificate Validity:
curl -vI https://example.com 2>&1 | grep "expire date"
- Generate Self-Signed Certificate:
openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:4096 -keyout key.pem -out cert.pem -days 365 -nodes
- Test SSL/TLS Vulnerabilities:
testssl.sh example.com
- Enable HSTS (Strict Transport Security):
add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains" always;
What Undercode Say:
HTTPS is non-negotiable for modern web security. Beyond theory, practical command-line validations ensure your implementations are airtight. Regularly audit certificates, enforce TLS 1.2+, and automate renewals with Let’s Encrypt (certbot). For developers, hardcoding certificates in apps? Bad practice. Use OS trust stores. Sysadmins—monitor expiry via Nagios or custom cron jobs. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest cipher.
Expected Output:
openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 | openssl x509 -noout -dates
(Outputs certificate validity dates.)
Relevant URLs:
References:
Reported By: Ashsau %F0%9D%90%87%F0%9D%90%AD%F0%9D%90%AD%F0%9D%90%A9%F0%9D%90%AC – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
