What protocol is used for all web traffic to ensure security?

The correct answer is HTTPS because it is the secure version of HTTP, which is the foundation of data communication on the web. HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure and is designed to provide a secure connection between a user's web browser and the web server. This is accomplished through encryption using protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

When HTTPS is used, the data exchanged between the client and server is encrypted, which helps protect against eavesdropping and tampering by malicious third parties. This is particularly important for transmitting sensitive information, such as personal data, login credentials, and financial transactions. The presence of HTTPS is often indicated by a padlock icon in the browser's address bar, which communicates to users that their connection is secure.

In contrast, the other options lack the necessary security for web traffic. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is primarily used for transferring files but does not provide secure encryption unless used in a secure version like SFTP. HTTP is the original protocol for transferring web pages but does not offer any security features, making it vulnerable to various types of attacks. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails and is not applicable for securing web traffic. Thus, HTTPS is the