Smart HTTPS for Firefox

5.0/5 1

Last updated: Jul 13, 2022 Certified 100% FREE MPL / Donationware

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Browse the Internet securely by loading web pages using the HTTPS protocol, and instantly reverting to HTTP if any errors are encountered, with this Firefox add-on. #HTTPS switcher #Secure browsing #HTTPS encryption #HTTPS #Privacy #Encrypt

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HTTPS, or Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol Secure, is a server-to-browser communication protocol that was designed to enhance the security of the standard HTTP by encrypting data using an SSL certificate.

Many websites have already made the transition to this secure protocol, but a lot more have not. However, it is sometimes possible to load these pages using HTTPS if it is supported by the server.

Smart HTTPS for Firefox is a browser add-on that attempts to load every web page you visit using HTTPS, and then reverts to HTTP if the former is not supported. This operation is performed very quickly, so you should never even notice the change.

If the domain you have loaded is already using HTTPS, the add-on does nothing at all. You can also disable it easily at any time with just a couple of mouse clicks.

Once the add-on has attempted and failed to load a certain web page using HTTPS, it is automatically added to the whitelist, thus preventing the check from being performed again in the future.

Users can also customize these rules freely, as it is possible to add any visited website to the whitelist and blacklist, which are found on the Settings page.

Since Smart HTTPS for Firefox adds every verified web page that does not support HTTPS to the whitelist, you are right to be concerned about your privacy when browsing in Incognito mode. Thankfully, you do have the option of disabling this behavior for private browsing; just be sure to remember that this is not the default setting.

If you want to speed things up a bit, you can also reduce the maximum amount of time that the add-on can spend attempting to load a web page using HTTPS before reverting to HTTP.

Users who are concerned about their online privacy should certainly consider giving Smart HTTPS for Firefox a try, as it can load pages using the more secure HTTPS protocol without requiring additional user input. And, if Firefox is not your browser of choice, you can also take a look at the companion extensions that are available for Google Chrome and Opera.