What protocol is typically used for secure communication over a computer network?

The protocol typically used for secure communication over a computer network is HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS is an extension of HTTP that incorporates security features through the use of Transport Layer Security (TLS) or, in older implementations, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This ensures that data transmitted between the client and the server is encrypted, providing confidentiality and integrity.

When using HTTPS, sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, and payment information is protected against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, making it essential for any online transactions or web communications where security is a concern.

In contrast, the other protocols do not offer the same level of security for data transmission. HTTP operates without encryption, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is traditionally unencrypted (though there are secure variants), and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails but is not inherently secure unless specific extensions like STARTTLS are implemented. Therefore, HTTPS is the standard for secure web communication.