CompTIA CySA+ Practice Test 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The protocol used for secure communication over the internet is HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS extends HTTP by adding an extra layer of security through the use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols. This ensures that data transmitted between the client (such as a web browser) and the server is encrypted, which protects it from interception or tampering by unauthorized parties.

This secure communication is crucial for protecting sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal data, and payment information during online transactions. When a website uses HTTPS, you can typically see a padlock icon in the browser's address bar, signaling to users that their connection is secure.

In contrast, the other protocols mentioned do not provide this level of security. For instance, FTP is used for transferring files over a network but does not encrypt the data, making it vulnerable to interception. HTTP is the standard protocol for transferring web pages but similarly lacks encryption, leaving data exposed during transmission. SMTP is used for sending emails but also does not inherently include encryption unless combined with other protocols. Overall, HTTPS is specifically designed to secure web communication, which is why it is the correct answer.