Which of the following is a protocol primarily utilized for secure internet communication?

The chosen response is correct because HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is specifically designed to secure communications over a computer network, particularly the internet. It achieves this by using encryption protocols, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security), which allow for the safe transmission of data between a web browser and a server. This ensures that sensitive information, such as login credentials and payment details, remains private and secure from potential eavesdroppers.

The other options serve different purposes in internet communication but do not provide the same level of security. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring files but does not inherently encrypt its data, making it vulnerable to interception. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of data communication on the web but lacks any encryption, leaving data exposed to potential attacks. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails, but like FTP, it does not include security measures for encrypting the data being transmitted. Thus, HTTPS stands out as the protocol specifically designed for secure internet communication.