What does the "https://" prefix indicate about a website?

The "https://" prefix indicates that a website is secure. This security is established through the use of Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), which is an extension of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). With HTTPS, the data exchanged between the user's browser and the web server is encrypted, providing a layer of protection against eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and data tampering. This is especially important for websites that handle sensitive information, such as online banking, shopping, or any site that requires personal information input.

The presence of HTTPS is typically accompanied by a padlock icon in the browser's address bar, further signaling to users that their connection is secure. In contrast, websites that do not have this prefix may be less secure and should be approached with caution, particularly when sharing any form of sensitive information.