Nginx web server on VPS over HTTP - hsts

Question

So I have been trying to serve a simple static web page over HTTP using Nginx 1.14.0 (Ubuntu). I am able to: curl the web page using both domain name and IP-address and find the web page in browser using IP-address.

But I can't load the web page in a browser via domain name (timeout). I have tried Chrome and Firefox on different devices/networks and have repeatedly emptied web and DNS caches. DNS for my domain is correctly configured via my registrar.

I eventually set up HTTPS and it now works, but I am completely stumped as to why the site timed out over HTTP. It would seem drastic if Firefox and Chrome have started forcing everything to HTTPS. I haven't heard or have been able to find anything about this in my searches online. It would be great if someone else has any insight on this.

Answer 1

I realized what the problem was as I was writing the question. Firefox and Chrome are forcing redirects to https on dev. domains specifically. Found it in this article by Mattias Geniar.

I am using a dev. domain. :)