Which protocol is commonly used for securely transmitting data over networks?

The chosen answer, HTTPS, is correct because it stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. This protocol is an extension of HTTP and is specifically designed to provide a secure communication channel over a computer network. It achieves this by using encryption protocols such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) to protect the data being transmitted from eavesdropping, tampering, and man-in-the-middle attacks. By encrypting the data, HTTPS ensures that sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal details are safeguarded during transmission.

In contrast, HTTP does not provide these security features, making it unsuitable for transmitting sensitive data. FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is used for transferring files but also lacks security measures for protecting the data during transfer. TCP, or Transmission Control Protocol, is a foundational protocol that ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications but does not inherently provide security for the transmitted data. Thus, HTTPS is the preferred choice for secure data transmission over networks.