Which protocol is used for secure data transmission over the internet?

The protocol used for secure data transmission over the internet is HTTPS, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS effectively incorporates SSL/TLS encryption protocols to secure the data transmitted between a user's web browser and the web server. This means that any data exchanged is encrypted, rendering it unreadable to any potential eavesdroppers. This is critical for safeguarding sensitive information, such as login credentials and payment details, making HTTPS the standard for securing online communications.

While other options like FTPS and SSH also provide secure data transmission, they are used in different contexts. FTPS is specific to the secure transfer of files, designed to work with FTP but with added security layers. SSH, or Secure Shell, is primarily utilized for secure remote login and command execution on networked devices rather than general data transmission over the web. HTTP, without the security layer, is not secure as it transmits data in plaintext, making it susceptible to interception. Thus, HTTPS is the most relevant and widely recognized protocol for secure internet data transmission.