Which protocol is used for transferring files over the internet?

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is specifically designed for transferring files over the internet. It allows users to upload and download files from a server using a reliable connection. FTP operates over a client-server model, where the client can interact with the server to transfer files, manage directories, and perform various file operations such as renaming and deleting files.

While HTTP is also used for transferring files, particularly web pages and resources from web servers to browsers, it is not as specialized for direct file transfer as FTP. SMTP is used primarily for sending emails, and Telnet is a protocol used for remote terminal access and not for file transferring. Each of these protocols serves distinct purposes in the realm of internet communications, but when it comes to dedicated file transfer, FTP is the clear choice.