How to Redirect HTTP to HTTPS using .htaccess

The Complete Guide to Redirect HTTP to HTTPS using .htaccess and How it Can Help You Secure Your Website

Introduction: What is redirecting HTTP to HTTPS using .htaccess?

The HTTP protocol is the most commonly used protocol on the web. It was developed in 1989 and has been the standard for transmitting information on the web since its inception. HTTPS is a more secure version of HTTP that encrypts communication between a server and a browser.

Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS using .htaccess means that you are changing your website from using HTTP to using HTTPS. This will require you to buy an SSL certificate and install it on your site before redirecting your site from HTTP to HTTPS.

How To Redirect All Traffic on a Web Server from HTTP to HTTPS

There are many reasons why a website owner might want to switch from HTTP to HTTPS. The most common reason is security, as the SSL certificate on HTTPS provides better protection against hacking and snooping.

The first step in the process of redirecting traffic from HTTP to HTTPS is to make sure that you have a valid SSL certificate for your site. You can purchase an SSL certificate from a third-party provider or use one that you already have on an existing domain name.

Once you have your SSL certificate, you will need to edit your website’s configuration files so that all traffic is redirected from HTTP to HTTPS, including when people type in the URL or click on a link.

If all of your content is hosted on the same server as your website,

How to Configure redirect HTTP to HTTPS using .htaccess

Configuring redirect HTTP to HTTPS using .htaccess

To configure a redirect from an HTTP request to HTTPS, you can use the mod_rewrite module. This module is available on Apache and NGINX web servers.

The following example will redirect all visitors from http://example.com/page to https://example.com/page

1. Redirect All Web Traffic

If you have existing code in your .htaccess, add the following:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{SERVER_PORT} 80
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.yourdomain.com/$1 [R,L]

2. Redirect Only a Specific Domain

For redirecting a specific domain to use HTTPS, add the following:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^yourdomain\.com [NC]
RewriteCond %{SERVER_PORT} 80
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.yourdomain.com/$1 [R,L]

3. Redirect Only a Specific Folder

Redirecting to HTTPS on a specific folder, add the following:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{SERVER_PORT} 80
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} folder
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.yourdomain.com/folder/$1 [R,L]

Note: Replace “yourdomain” with your actual domain name wherever required. Also, in case of the folder, replace /folder with the actual folder name.

Conclusion: Why You Should Use redirect HTTP To HTTPS Using .htaccess To Protect Your Website

This article will provide you with the best practices for implementing HTTPS on your website, and the reasons why you should do so.