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HTTP/1.0 is very outdated and rarely used by real visitors.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- Many automated bots, outdated scrapers, and suspicious tools still default to HTTP/1.0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.
Read about all BotBlocker features
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