Arch Linux

Chrys349

Member

From: Romania

Registered: 2011-09-04

Posts: 50

why is the https protocol used on all pages of arch wiki & forums ?

I don't know if it's true, but I heard that the https protocol requires more server resources than http, maybe because the server has to encrypt the data before sending it to the client. Therefore, as far as I know, https is usually used only on web pages containing login forms, and others that transmit sensitive data. I'm not complaining about the wiki or forum performance, they're loading fast, but is there a reason for using https on all pages of arch wiki and arch forums ? Shouldn't https be used only for logins to the wiki and forums, and http for all other pages, just like archlinux home page ?

Last edited by Chrys349 (2011-10-14 00:14:54)

denisfalqueto

Member

From: ES, Brazil

Registered: 2006-03-24

Posts: 197

Re: why is the https protocol used on all pages of arch wiki & forums ?

Some years ago, that was true. But today, the cost of encrypting the content is not big enough. Furthermore, any page containing identification cookies should not travel unencrypted.

---

Satisfied users don't rant, so you'll never know how many of us there are.

stqn

Member

Registered: 2010-03-19

Posts: 1,191

Website

Re: why is the https protocol used on all pages of arch wiki & forums ?

I don't know the specific reasons as far as Arch is concerned, but there is a trend... See for example the HTTPS Everywhere extension. Many sites started offering or forcing https (including Google.) This can help avoid censorship and eavesdropping, two things that are on the rise too in many countries.