Domains

A domain name is a user-friendly address used to access a website, serving as a memorable alternative to the numerical IP address. Managed by the Domain Name System (DNS), domain names are translated into their corresponding IP addresses, enabling browsers to locate and connect to the website’s server. For example, baggiano.com is a domain name that users can enter in their browser to visit the Baggiano website.

URL Structure

Consider the URL https://www.baggiano.com/ —there are several components to this link:

• https:// : This indicates that the connection is secured using SSL/TLS encryption. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that data transmitted between the browser and the server remains private and secure.
• www. : This is the subdomain, which can be used to organize and categorize different sections of a website. In this case, www is the default subdomain for the main website.
• baggiano : This is the domain name, representing the main part of the website's address.
• .com : This is the Top-Level Domain (TLD), which signifies the domain’s category or geographical area. .com is one of the most common TLDs, originally intended for commercial entities.

SSL and HTTPS

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a standard security technology that establishes an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the protocol used to secure communications over the internet. By using HTTPS, websites ensure that all data transmitted between the server and the user’s browser is encrypted, protecting it from eavesdroppers and attackers.

Encryption

Encryption is the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext to prevent unauthorized access. It uses algorithms to encode data, making it unreadable to anyone who does not have the decryption key. There are two primary types of encryption:

• Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. It is fast but requires secure key distribution.
• Asymmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of keys—a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. It is more secure for key exchange but slower than symmetric encryption.

Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on the user's browser by a website. They are used to remember user preferences, login information, and track user activity. There are different types of cookies:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when the browser is closed. They store session-specific information, such as login status.
• Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on the user's device for a specified period and are used to remember user preferences across sessions.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by domains other than the one the user is visiting, often used for tracking and advertising purposes.