Which protocol is primarily used for secure communication over the internet?

The correct answer is HTTPS because it is specifically designed for secure communication over the internet. HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure and employs encryption using protocols such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) to protect the data being transmitted between a user’s browser and a web server. This ensures that the information exchanged, such as credit card numbers, personal data, and other sensitive details, remains confidential and secure from eavesdropping and tampering.

In contrast, HTTP is the standard protocol used for transmitting web pages but lacks the security features inherent in HTTPS, making it vulnerable to interception. SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is employed for sending emails and does not focus on web browsing security. FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is used for transferring files over the internet but similarly does not address secure communication. Thus, HTTPS is the appropriate choice for secure online communication.