What are HTTP Headers?

Imagine you are sending a letter through the mail. The letter is the website content you want to read. But for the post office to deliver it safely, the envelope needs "technical notes" written on the outside—like the address, the stamp, and special handling instructions.

HTTP Headers are those technical notes. They tell your browser if the website is safe, how long to remember the page, and what kind of security tools should be active. Our HTTP Headers Analyzer lets you read those notes to see if a website is built correctly.

Security Tip:

If a website is missing the HSTS header, it could allow hackers to redirect you to an unsafe, unencrypted version of the site. Always look for an "A+" grade on our analyzer!

Important Security Headers Explained

  • HSTS: This header forces your browser to use a secure "HTTPS" connection. It stops hackers from eavesdropping on your data.
  • CSP: This is like a security guard for code. It tells the browser which scripts are allowed to run, preventing "Cross-Site Scripting" (XSS) attacks.
  • Frame Options: This prevents your website from being "invisible" on another site, which stops hackers from tricking you into clicking buttons you can't see (Clickjacking).
  • X-Content-Type: This tells the browser to be very strict about what kind of file it is reading, so a text file cannot be turned into a virus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does status "200 OK" mean?

This means the server found the page and everything is working perfectly. If you see "404," it means the page was not found.

Can headers show what server I am using?

Yes! The "Server" header often shows if a site is using software like Apache or Nginx. Experts suggest hiding this info to keep hackers guessing.