What does the 's' in https stand for?

The 's' in https stands for Secure. This designation indicates that the communication between the user's web browser and the website is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS), which was formerly known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This encryption ensures that any data exchanged between the two parties is protected from eavesdropping or tampering by third parties.

A secure connection is critically important, especially for websites that handle sensitive information, such as online banking and shopping sites, as it helps to safeguard personal and financial data from potential cyber threats. Therefore, the 's' signifies that the website provides an added layer of security compared to standard HTTP, which does not include encryption.