Which protocol is used for secure communication over the internet?

HTTPS, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, is the protocol used for secure communication over the internet. It is an extension of the standard HTTP protocol and employs encryption technologies such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) to create a secure connection between the user's web browser and the web server.

This secure communication ensures that data transferred between the two entities is encrypted, safeguarding it from interception or tampering by malicious actors. HTTPS is especially important when transmitting sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal data, or financial details, as it helps to maintain the privacy and integrity of that data.

While HTTP, FTP, and SMTP have their specific uses—such as transferring web pages, files, and email messages respectively—they do not inherently provide the same level of security as HTTPS. Therefore, for secure online communication, HTTPS is the protocol that ensures users can safely interact with websites and exchange sensitive information.