Discovering HTTPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s start by explaining what the famous HTTPS means; we\u2019ll need it later. In short, it is the encrypted version of the HTTP period. But then, what is HTTP? It is a protocol that works in client-server communication, thanks to which the Internet exists as we know it. HTTP supports different types of requests, depending on what we want to send, e.g., a specific resource or a completed form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What distinguishes these two protocols, HTTP and HTTPS, is the letter S, meaning ‘Secure’. Despite such a small difference in name, the difference in operation is huge because HTTPS is an encrypted connection<\/strong>. The TLS protocol is responsible for it, which first performs key exchange to verify the security of the connection, and only then is the HTTP request made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Get](\"https:\/\/gitprotect.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/LinkedIn-ads-template-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLeaving security aside for a moment, it is also worth taking a look at another reason for the popularity of HTTPS, namely, Google algorithms. The positioning of the content is influenced by many factors, but one of them is the use of the encrypted version of the protocol. According to Google, this has a significant impact, and it will certainly increase in the future, so it\u2019s worth learning about and using this protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Git clone with HTTPS<\/strong> from a remote repository<\/h2>\n\n\n\nYour repository, such as Bitbucket, is available on the web at a specific address, and the HTTP request allows you to download such a page and display it in the browser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This existing repository address is also the one used by Git. We need it because it is one of the parameters (and the only required one) of the clone function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how to clone a GitHub repository<\/a>? To clone an existing Git repository, type git clone<\/strong><\/em> command. The required parameter is the repository URL (aka Git URL). As in the example below:<\/p>\n\n\n\ngit clone <REPOSITORY_ADDRESS><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe remote URL can use the repository URL over the supported protocols SSH, Git, HTTP, and HTTPS. You can also choose a new directory with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git clone <REPOSITORY_ADDRESS> <DIRECTORY><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s check it on the example of the most popular repository on GitHub. Specifically, it is freeCodeCamp, which has over 427k stars and over 41.4k forks. A repo like this is crucial for collaboration, as it allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do a git clone HTTPS command<\/strong>, just go to the location where the git repo is to be placed in the terminal, type the git command, and use this repository URL:<\/p>\n\n\n\ngit clone https:\/\/github.com\/freeCodeCamp\/freeCodeCamp.git<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nGit clone creates a new directory at the local path for the git repo, copies the files, and creates the initial branch from the default branch so we can begin working. The local repository will be cloned to the local machine, allowing developers to manage their working copies of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s all. This can take a while, as this particular project is quite sizable and Git has to download everything to a local computer. However, when everything is successful, the git repo will be cloned, and we can start working on it<\/strong>. It is also worth paying attention to the suffix .git<\/strong> \u2013 it is not required, and the address without it is also considered valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen we look at the repository through the browser, we find there is a sub-menu for cloning. There will be a couple of options, such as using a desktop application, downloading a ZIP archive, and also copying addresses per protocol. The image below shows the default view with an HTTPS <\/strong>address on GitHub<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"default](\"https:\/\/gitprotect.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/image1-7.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\ngit clone using<\/strong> HTTPS – Personal Access Token<\/strong> (PAT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo freely use such a cloned repository, i.e., to perform pull and push operations, we must enter our password each time to verify the connection. This can be cumbersome, so Git configuration allows you to remember the credentials<\/strong>. To do this, we need to set the appropriate value of the attribute credential. helper <\/em><\/strong>in the local Git configuration. I will just add that this option has existed since version 1.7.10, so since 2012, which is quite a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSetting up such a helper is simple, but there are several options for this configuration. One of them is CACHE. This option never saves our credentials to the hard disk of the computer; it only stores them in the OS cache. For security reasons, we can also set the timeout attribute, which will only temporarily remember our passwords:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git config credential.helper \u2018cache ==timeout=3600\u2019<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAnother type is STORE. This time, our login details are saved on disk. Importantly, this file is not encrypted in any way, and the only protection is to restrict access to the file for the user who created it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git config credential.helper store<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThere is also another type, the so-called custom helpers. Here, we can use 3rd party services or create our own way of storing credentials. Of course, this configuration method is more complicated and requires more knowledge, but it allows you to significantly increase the level of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gitprotect.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/devops-threats-report-1920x950-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDifferences compared to git clone SSH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow, let\u2019s compare the pros and cons of using HTTPS in comparison to the SSH protocol. In short, SSH, or Secure Shell<\/strong>, is a communication protocol used to connect securely to a remote server<\/strong> and uses a pair of keys to establish a connection. Generating and managing SSH keys is essential for secure authentication with remote repositories. SSH keys are used for secure authentication with remote repositories. You can learn more about creating a private key pair and using it in working with repositories here: How to clone using SSH in Git?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAll the popular hosting services used to work with Git allow us to use both HTTPS and SSH<\/strong>, so here we have a draw. The main difference, however, is the level of security. While HTTPS is encrypted and gives us a high level of security, SSH goes a step further and forces us to create a private key pair and provide a public key to the website to establish a connection. This increases the level of control over access to repositories. The advantage here is definitely on the SSH side.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, let\u2019s analyze the setup time and the convenience of use. Here, HTTPS has the advantage, because it is enough to perform the clone operation with the appropriate address, enter the login\/password, and it\u2019s ready. It also works well behind most firewalls and proxies. Setting up SSH requires us to first create a key pair and secondly add it to the right place. Using the SSH URL to clone remote repositories may not be difficult or very time-consuming, but it is certainly easier to clone with HTTPS<\/strong>, especially for someone just entering the IT world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLeaving security aside for a moment, it is also worth taking a look at another reason for the popularity of HTTPS, namely, Google algorithms. The positioning of the content is influenced by many factors, but one of them is the use of the encrypted version of the protocol. According to Google, this has a significant impact, and it will certainly increase in the future, so it\u2019s worth learning about and using this protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Git clone with HTTPS<\/strong> from a remote repository<\/h2>\n\n\n\nYour repository, such as Bitbucket, is available on the web at a specific address, and the HTTP request allows you to download such a page and display it in the browser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This existing repository address is also the one used by Git. We need it because it is one of the parameters (and the only required one) of the clone function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how to clone a GitHub repository<\/a>? To clone an existing Git repository, type git clone<\/strong><\/em> command. The required parameter is the repository URL (aka Git URL). As in the example below:<\/p>\n\n\n\ngit clone <REPOSITORY_ADDRESS><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe remote URL can use the repository URL over the supported protocols SSH, Git, HTTP, and HTTPS. You can also choose a new directory with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git clone <REPOSITORY_ADDRESS> <DIRECTORY><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s check it on the example of the most popular repository on GitHub. Specifically, it is freeCodeCamp, which has over 427k stars and over 41.4k forks. A repo like this is crucial for collaboration, as it allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do a git clone HTTPS command<\/strong>, just go to the location where the git repo is to be placed in the terminal, type the git command, and use this repository URL:<\/p>\n\n\n\ngit clone https:\/\/github.com\/freeCodeCamp\/freeCodeCamp.git<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nGit clone creates a new directory at the local path for the git repo, copies the files, and creates the initial branch from the default branch so we can begin working. The local repository will be cloned to the local machine, allowing developers to manage their working copies of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s all. This can take a while, as this particular project is quite sizable and Git has to download everything to a local computer. However, when everything is successful, the git repo will be cloned, and we can start working on it<\/strong>. It is also worth paying attention to the suffix .git<\/strong> \u2013 it is not required, and the address without it is also considered valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen we look at the repository through the browser, we find there is a sub-menu for cloning. There will be a couple of options, such as using a desktop application, downloading a ZIP archive, and also copying addresses per protocol. The image below shows the default view with an HTTPS <\/strong>address on GitHub<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\ngit clone using<\/strong> HTTPS – Personal Access Token<\/strong> (PAT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo freely use such a cloned repository, i.e., to perform pull and push operations, we must enter our password each time to verify the connection. This can be cumbersome, so Git configuration allows you to remember the credentials<\/strong>. To do this, we need to set the appropriate value of the attribute credential. helper <\/em><\/strong>in the local Git configuration. I will just add that this option has existed since version 1.7.10, so since 2012, which is quite a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSetting up such a helper is simple, but there are several options for this configuration. One of them is CACHE. This option never saves our credentials to the hard disk of the computer; it only stores them in the OS cache. For security reasons, we can also set the timeout attribute, which will only temporarily remember our passwords:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git config credential.helper \u2018cache ==timeout=3600\u2019<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAnother type is STORE. This time, our login details are saved on disk. Importantly, this file is not encrypted in any way, and the only protection is to restrict access to the file for the user who created it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git config credential.helper store<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThere is also another type, the so-called custom helpers. Here, we can use 3rd party services or create our own way of storing credentials. Of course, this configuration method is more complicated and requires more knowledge, but it allows you to significantly increase the level of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDifferences compared to git clone SSH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow, let\u2019s compare the pros and cons of using HTTPS in comparison to the SSH protocol. In short, SSH, or Secure Shell<\/strong>, is a communication protocol used to connect securely to a remote server<\/strong> and uses a pair of keys to establish a connection. Generating and managing SSH keys is essential for secure authentication with remote repositories. SSH keys are used for secure authentication with remote repositories. You can learn more about creating a private key pair and using it in working with repositories here: How to clone using SSH in Git?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAll the popular hosting services used to work with Git allow us to use both HTTPS and SSH<\/strong>, so here we have a draw. The main difference, however, is the level of security. While HTTPS is encrypted and gives us a high level of security, SSH goes a step further and forces us to create a private key pair and provide a public key to the website to establish a connection. This increases the level of control over access to repositories. The advantage here is definitely on the SSH side.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, let\u2019s analyze the setup time and the convenience of use. Here, HTTPS has the advantage, because it is enough to perform the clone operation with the appropriate address, enter the login\/password, and it\u2019s ready. It also works well behind most firewalls and proxies. Setting up SSH requires us to first create a key pair and secondly add it to the right place. Using the SSH URL to clone remote repositories may not be difficult or very time-consuming, but it is certainly easier to clone with HTTPS<\/strong>, especially for someone just entering the IT world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git clone <REPOSITORY_ADDRESS><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe remote URL can use the repository URL over the supported protocols SSH, Git, HTTP, and HTTPS. You can also choose a new directory with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git clone <REPOSITORY_ADDRESS> <DIRECTORY><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s check it on the example of the most popular repository on GitHub. Specifically, it is freeCodeCamp, which has over 427k stars and over 41.4k forks. A repo like this is crucial for collaboration, as it allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do a git clone HTTPS command<\/strong>, just go to the location where the git repo is to be placed in the terminal, type the git command, and use this repository URL:<\/p>\n\n\n\ngit clone https:\/\/github.com\/freeCodeCamp\/freeCodeCamp.git<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nGit clone creates a new directory at the local path for the git repo, copies the files, and creates the initial branch from the default branch so we can begin working. The local repository will be cloned to the local machine, allowing developers to manage their working copies of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s all. This can take a while, as this particular project is quite sizable and Git has to download everything to a local computer. However, when everything is successful, the git repo will be cloned, and we can start working on it<\/strong>. It is also worth paying attention to the suffix .git<\/strong> \u2013 it is not required, and the address without it is also considered valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen we look at the repository through the browser, we find there is a sub-menu for cloning. There will be a couple of options, such as using a desktop application, downloading a ZIP archive, and also copying addresses per protocol. The image below shows the default view with an HTTPS <\/strong>address on GitHub<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\ngit clone using<\/strong> HTTPS – Personal Access Token<\/strong> (PAT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo freely use such a cloned repository, i.e., to perform pull and push operations, we must enter our password each time to verify the connection. This can be cumbersome, so Git configuration allows you to remember the credentials<\/strong>. To do this, we need to set the appropriate value of the attribute credential. helper <\/em><\/strong>in the local Git configuration. I will just add that this option has existed since version 1.7.10, so since 2012, which is quite a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSetting up such a helper is simple, but there are several options for this configuration. One of them is CACHE. This option never saves our credentials to the hard disk of the computer; it only stores them in the OS cache. For security reasons, we can also set the timeout attribute, which will only temporarily remember our passwords:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git config credential.helper \u2018cache ==timeout=3600\u2019<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAnother type is STORE. This time, our login details are saved on disk. Importantly, this file is not encrypted in any way, and the only protection is to restrict access to the file for the user who created it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
git config credential.helper store<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThere is also another type, the so-called custom helpers. Here, we can use 3rd party services or create our own way of storing credentials. Of course, this configuration method is more complicated and requires more knowledge, but it allows you to significantly increase the level of security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDifferences compared to git clone SSH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow, let\u2019s compare the pros and cons of using HTTPS in comparison to the SSH protocol. In short, SSH, or Secure Shell<\/strong>, is a communication protocol used to connect securely to a remote server<\/strong> and uses a pair of keys to establish a connection. Generating and managing SSH keys is essential for secure authentication with remote repositories. SSH keys are used for secure authentication with remote repositories. You can learn more about creating a private key pair and using it in working with repositories here: How to clone using SSH in Git?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAll the popular hosting services used to work with Git allow us to use both HTTPS and SSH<\/strong>, so here we have a draw. The main difference, however, is the level of security. While HTTPS is encrypted and gives us a high level of security, SSH goes a step further and forces us to create a private key pair and provide a public key to the website to establish a connection. This increases the level of control over access to repositories. The advantage here is definitely on the SSH side.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, let\u2019s analyze the setup time and the convenience of use. Here, HTTPS has the advantage, because it is enough to perform the clone operation with the appropriate address, enter the login\/password, and it\u2019s ready. It also works well behind most firewalls and proxies. Setting up SSH requires us to first create a key pair and secondly add it to the right place. Using the SSH URL to clone remote repositories may not be difficult or very time-consuming, but it is certainly easier to clone with HTTPS<\/strong>, especially for someone just entering the IT world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"DevOps](\"https:\/\/gitprotect.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/banner_orange-1024x346.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n