The HTTP protocol is the standard by which Web clients (such as a browser) and Web servers exchange information over networks (groups of computers linked together) such as the Internet.

The HTTP 1.1 protocol contains a modification requested by WebCom, which requires the browser to return the domain name of the requested resource (currently, only the Internet Protocol address [a numeric string] is returned). This modification is the basis of WebCom's ability to offer virtual hosting at the best rates in the business.