Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Computers & IT

Spot the Secure Webpage Prefix: Take the Information Security Quiz!

Ready to test which prefix indicates you're on a secure web page? Jump in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style illustration of a laptop with lock icon security badges and question marks on coral background.

This quick quiz helps you identify which prefix indicates a secure webpage and practice telling HTTPS from HTTP in real URL examples, including what to look for in the address bar. Have fun and learn a fact or two as you play.

Which protocol prefix in a URL indicates that the connection is secured using SSL/TLS?
ws://
https://
ftp://
http://
The 'https://' prefix means that the browser will use SSL/TLS to encrypt data sent between your browser and the server. This is different from 'http://' which sends data in plain text. Secure HTTP is commonly called HTTPS. For more details, see .
What is the default port number for HTTPS traffic?
25
80
443
21
Port 443 is the IANA-assigned default port for HTTPS, ensuring web traffic is encrypted with SSL/TLS. Port 80 is reserved for unencrypted HTTP. Other ports like 21 and 25 serve FTP and SMTP, respectively. For more information, see .
Which icon commonly appears in a browser's address bar to indicate a secure HTTPS connection?
Flag
Shield
Key
Green padlock
Modern browsers display a padlock icon (often green or grey) in the address bar to show that the connection is encrypted using HTTPS. This signals that data exchanged is secure. Other icons like shields may indicate different security features. See .
In the acronym HTTPS, what does the 'S' stand for?
Secure
Super
Simple
Shared
The 'S' in HTTPS stands for 'Secure,' indicating that HTTP traffic is encrypted via SSL/TLS. It distinguishes it from HTTP, which transmits data unencrypted. Secure HTTP protects data integrity and privacy. For more details, see .
Which cryptographic protocol is most widely used to secure HTTPS connections today?
SSH
SSL
IPsec
TLS
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the modern successor to SSL and is the standard protocol for securing HTTPS traffic. SSL is deprecated due to multiple vulnerabilities. SSH secures shell sessions, and IPsec secures IP traffic. Learn more at .
Which entity is responsible for issuing SSL/TLS certificates to websites?
Internet Service Providers
Website owners
Web browser vendors
Certificate Authorities
Certificate Authorities (CAs) are trusted third parties that validate identities and issue SSL/TLS certificates. Browsers trust certificates signed by recognized CAs. Website owners request certificates, but only CAs can issue them. See .
Which HTTP header instructs browsers to only use HTTPS for all future requests to a site?
Strict-Transport-Security
Content-Security-Policy
X-Frame-Options
X-Content-Type-Options
The Strict-Transport-Security header (HSTS) tells browsers that the site should only be accessed over HTTPS for a defined period. This prevents protocol downgrade attacks. Other headers control framing, content types, and security policies. Details at .
What defines mixed content on an HTTPS-secured webpage?
Page content larger than 1MB
Loading some resources over HTTP
Loading resources over HTTPS
Cookies without Secure flag
Mixed content occurs when an HTTPS page loads scripts, images, or styles over unencrypted HTTP. This can compromise the security of the entire page. Fully secure pages load all resources over HTTPS. For best practices, see .
Which version of TLS is recommended for the strongest encryption and default forward secrecy?
TLS 1.1
TLS 1.2
TLS 1.0
TLS 1.3
TLS 1.3 is the latest version defined in RFC 8446 and mandates forward secrecy by default, offering improved performance and security. Earlier versions allowed weaker ciphers and optional forward secrecy. TLS 1.3 removes many legacy features. Read more at .
Which cipher suite is considered insecure and should not be used with HTTPS?
ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256
ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305
TLS_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_SHA
TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
RC4-based cipher suites like TLS_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_SHA are considered insecure due to known biases and vulnerabilities. Modern HTTPS deployments use AES-GCM or ChaCha20-Poly1305 with forward secrecy. SSL labs and other resources recommend disabling RC4. See .
What defines a self-signed certificate in the context of HTTPS?
Signed by the same entity hosting the site
Signed by a trusted Certificate Authority
Signed by a wildcard CA
Signed after certificate expiration
A self-signed certificate is generated and signed by the same entity that hosts the website, not by an external CA. Browsers will not trust it by default, often showing warnings. It's commonly used for testing or internal applications. More info at .
Which DNS record type is used in DANE (DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities) to associate TLS certificates with domain names?
A
MX
TLSA
AAAA
The TLSA record is defined in RFC 6698 and is used by DANE to specify which TLS certificates or public keys are valid for a domain. It enhances trust by storing certificate fingerprints in DNS secured via DNSSEC. This allows domain owners to specify certificates independent of traditional CAs. See .
0
{"name":"Which protocol prefix in a URL indicates that the connection is secured using SSL\/TLS?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which protocol prefix in a URL indicates that the connection is secured using SSL\/TLS?, What is the default port number for HTTPS traffic?, Which icon commonly appears in a browser's address bar to indicate a secure HTTPS connection?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Secure Webpage Prefix -

    Quickly recognize which prefix indicates you are browsing a secure webpage and distinguish it from non-secure prefixes.

  2. Explain HTTPS Fundamentals -

    Understand how HTTPS protocol encrypts data between your browser and server and why this is crucial for online privacy.

  3. Analyze Security Indicators -

    Interpret browser icons and messages to verify the authenticity of a secure web page prefix.

  4. Apply Verification Techniques -

    Use practical steps to confirm SSL/TLS certificate validity and ensure that the secure prefix isn't spoofed.

  5. Evaluate Potential Risks -

    Assess scenarios where a secure prefix might be compromised and learn to spot warning signs of man-in-the-middle attacks.

  6. Reinforce Cybersecurity Habits -

    Implement best practices for routinely checking web page prefixes to maintain strong online defenses.

Cheat Sheet

  1. HTTPS Prefix: Recognizing Secure URLs -

    The 'https://' prefix indicates you are browsing a secure webpage by showing that HTTP traffic is wrapped in TLS encryption. The extra 's' stands for 'secure' - a handy mnemonic is "S for Security Seal." Always look for this prefix in the address bar before entering passwords or payment info.

  2. TLS Handshake Essentials -

    During the TLS handshake, the client and server exchange cryptographic details in four main steps: ClientHello, ServerHello, Certificate exchange, and Key Generation. This process authenticates servers and negotiates symmetric keys using asymmetric algorithms like RSA or ECDHE (e.g., RSA formula C = M^e mod n). Think "Hello, Hello, Cert, Key" to recall the sequence; it's a bonus for any HTTPS prefix security quiz.

  3. Public Key Infrastructure & Certificate Authorities -

    Certificate Authorities (CAs) like Let's Encrypt and DigiCert issue digital certificates that bind domain names to public keys. Browsers trust these CAs by storing their root certificates - if a CA-signed certificate is invalid or revoked, the browser warns you. Remember: no trusted CA signature, no green padlock.

  4. Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Encryption -

    HTTPS uses asymmetric encryption (public/private keys) during the handshake for secure key exchange, then switches to fast symmetric ciphers like AES-GCM for bulk data encryption. Think "asym-secures, sym-speeds" to remember the roles. This hybrid approach balances strong security and high performance.

  5. Browser Security Indicators & HSTS -

    The padlock icon, often green or gray, signifies a secure web page prefix test pass; clicking it shows certificate details. HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) forces browsers to auto-upgrade HTTP into HTTPS - no downgrade attacks allowed. Enable HSTS by serving a "Strict-Transport-Security" header for maximum protection.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Computers & IT Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker