HTTPZ VS Smart HTTPS

• Enhanced Security
  HTTPZ automatically upgrades HTTP requests to HTTPS, ensuring a more secure connection between the client and server, protecting sensitive data from interception.
• User Privacy
  By enforcing HTTPS connections, HTTPZ helps maintain user privacy by encrypting data in transit, making it harder for third parties to track browsing activities.
• Compatibility
  HTTPZ is designed to be compatible with various browsers and extensions, allowing seamless integration without disrupting existing workflows.
• Open Source
  As an open-source project, HTTPZ allows users to review the code, contribute to its development, and ensure transparency in its operation.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Effectiveness
  HTTPZ cannot upgrade connections for sites that do not support HTTPS, limiting its usefulness to those sites which already have secure protocols enabled.
• Potential Breakage
  Forcing HTTPS on websites that have mixed content or that are not configured properly for HTTPS might result in broken pages or functionality.
• Resource Intensive
  Using HTTPZ to force HTTPS can sometimes lead to increased latency or resource usage as sites are redirected and additional security checks are performed.
• Dependency on External Certs
  HTTPZ relies on valid, external SSL certificates. If a site's SSL certificate is expired or improperly configured, the extension may block access to the site.

• Automatic Redirection to HTTPS
  Smart HTTPS automatically changes HTTP protocol to HTTPS, which enhances the security of your browsing by ensuring that the connection is encrypted.
• Fallback to HTTP
  In cases where an HTTPS version of the site is not available, it can automatically revert back to HTTP, ensuring you can still access the website instead of facing a disruption.
• Whitelist Feature
  Allows users to maintain a whitelist of websites that should always be accessed using HTTP, providing flexibility and control over the browsing experience.
• Improved Privacy
  By automatically using HTTPS, it helps in protecting user data from eavesdroppers and enhances privacy while browsing the web.

Possible disadvantages

• Compatibility Issues
  Some websites may not function correctly over HTTPS, leading to potential misbehavior or broken features when accessed using Smart HTTPS.
• Potential for Increased Loading Times
  Sometimes, redirecting to HTTPS can result in slightly longer loading times, especially if the server's configuration is not optimal for HTTPS.
• Resource Intensive
  The addon might consume additional resources to check for HTTPS versions of every site, which could impact browser performance, especially on older systems.
• Limited Control Over Redirection
  Users might have limited ability to control which sites are redirected to HTTPS if they haven't preemptively whitelisted specific HTTP sites.

Tracking HTTPZ since Mar 2021.

• “We don’t track you … except for when we get paid for it.”

  Smart HTTPS, site This tries to send you to https sites instead of http sites. Using http sites makes you venerable to man in the middle attacks. (dont use http on public wifis if possible). Source: over 4 years ago

• question about non secure websites

  I'd recommend using Smart HTTPS which automatically makes your site's HTTPS if it can offer it so it will reduce these situations. Here's the site where you can choose whichever browser you use. https://mybrowseraddon.com/smart-https.html. Source: over 4 years ago