The difference between "http" and "https" lies in the presence of secure encryption. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol for transmitting data over the web, but it does not encrypt information, making it vulnerable to interception. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) incorporates SSL/TLS encryption to protect data exchanged between a user's browser and the server, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. This added security is especially important for sites handling sensitive information, such as financial transactions and personal data.