Which protocol is commonly used for encrypting web traffic?

The protocol commonly used for encrypting web traffic is SSL/TLS. This stands for Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security, which are cryptographic protocols designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. When web traffic is encrypted using SSL/TLS, the data exchanged between a client (such as a web browser) and a server is securely transmitted, protecting it from eavesdropping and tampering.

SSL/TLS employs encryption to ensure that sensitive information, like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data, is transmitted securely across the internet. It operates when a connection is established over HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which is essentially HTTP layered with SSL/TLS to secure the data in transit.

In contrast, HTTP does not provide any encryption, making it unsuitable for transmitting sensitive information. FTP, which stands for File Transfer Protocol, is used for transferring files but does not inherently offer encryption, unless specified through extensions such as FTPS or SFTP. Similarly, Telnet is a protocol used for remote command-line access to servers, but like HTTP, it does not secure the connection, leaving all transmitted data vulnerable to interception.

Therefore, SSL/TLS is the correct choice for encrypting web traffic, as it directly addresses