What technology is used for secure data transmission over the internet?

The correct answer is HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. This protocol builds upon HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) by adding a layer of security that protects data during transmission over the internet. HTTPS utilizes encryption protocols, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security), to ensure that the data exchanged between a user's web browser and a web server is secure and private. This is particularly important for transactions involving sensitive information, such as personal details and credit card numbers, as it helps prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

In contrast, the other mentioned technologies do not provide secure data transmission over the internet. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring files but does not encrypt the data during transit, leaving it vulnerable. HTTP, the standard protocol for transferring web pages, is also not secure because it does not encrypt traffic, making it possible for third parties to intercept and read the data. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails but, like FTP and HTTP, does not include encryption unless it is used in conjunction with additional security measures. Thus, HTTPS is the preferred choice for secure data transmission.