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

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and its successor, Transport Layer Security (TLS), are the protocols designed specifically to secure data transmission over the internet. They work by encrypting the data being transmitted, which protects it from interception and tampering during the transfer between clients and servers. This encryption is essential for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information, such as personal data, credit card information, and credentials.

SSL/TLS operates at the transport layer of the internet protocol suite, ensuring that security is applied as data travels across networks. It is widely used in various applications, including web browsing (HTTPS), email, and other secure communications over the internet.

In contrast, the other options do not provide secure data transmission. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used for transferring files but does not include built-in security. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the foundational protocol for data exchange on the web but is also not secure on its own; when secured, it becomes HTTPS, which uses SSL/TLS. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is used for sending emails but also lacks intrinsic security features; extensions like SMTPS or STARTTLS can be implemented for added security, but it does not inherently provide that protection.

Therefore,