What Is HTTP? Understanding Protocol Versions and Blocking HTTP/1.0 in BotBlocker

What Is HTTP?

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It’s the foundation of all communication on the web, defining how browsers and servers exchange information. Every time you open a website, your browser sends HTTP requests to the server, which responds with the requested data (like HTML, CSS, images, scripts).

Main Versions of HTTP

HTTP/1.0

  • Released in 1996
  • The first widely adopted HTTP version
  • Each request opens a new connection (no keep-alive by default)
  • Lacks features for modern web efficiency and security

HTTP/1.1

  • Introduced in 1997
  • Adds persistent connections, pipelining, and better caching controls
  • Still very common and compatible with almost all web services

HTTP/2

  • Standardized in 2015
  • Enables multiplexing (multiple requests per connection), header compression, and faster loading
  • Improved performance and security features
  • Widely supported by modern browsers and servers

HTTP/3

  • Based on QUIC protocol, now rolling out
  • Designed for even better speed, reliability, and security
  • Not yet as universally supported, but quickly gaining adoption

Why Is HTTP Version Important for Security?

Most legitimate browsers and users use HTTP/1.1 or newer (HTTP/2, HTTP/3).
HTTP/1.0 is very outdated and rarely used by real visitors. However, it’s sometimes used by:

  • Old, unsupported software
  • Bots, crawlers, and attack scripts written with legacy libraries
  • Scanners and vulnerability tools that probe servers for weaknesses

Because HTTP/1.0 lacks many modern features – especially security improvements – it can be exploited for various attacks or evasion tactics.

Why Does BotBlocker Allow Blocking HTTP/1.0?

BotBlocker includes an option to block requests that use HTTP/1.0. This is because:

  • Legitimate browsers almost never use HTTP/1.0
  • Most real visitors use HTTP/1.1+
  • Many automated bots, outdated scrapers, and suspicious tools still default to HTTP/1.0
  • Blocking such traffic reduces your exposure to old vulnerabilities and unnecessary server load

When Should You Enable HTTP/1.0 Blocking?

  • On modern WordPress sites that don’t need to support legacy devices or software
  • When you want to reduce the attack surface for old exploits
  • If you notice suspicious or high volumes of HTTP/1.0 requests in your server logs

BotBlocker’s blocking of HTTP/1.0 is optional – by default, it’s off for maximum compatibility. You can turn it on for tighter security.

FAQ

Will blocking HTTP/1.0 affect real users?
Almost never – modern browsers don’t use it. If you serve legacy devices, review before enabling.

Is HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 required?
No, but both offer better performance and security. HTTP/1.1 remains standard.

How to enable blocking?
In BotBlocker’s settings, activate the HTTP/1.0 blocking option.

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