Which statement correctly describes HTTPS?

• A. It uses an insecure plain text channel.
• B. It is HTTP over SSL/TLS, providing authentication and encryption for sensitive communications.
• C. It is FTP over TLS for secure file transfer only.
• D. It is a protocol for secure email transfer.

Answer: (B)

HTTPS is HTTP run over TLS/SSL, which adds encryption and authentication to web traffic. This means the data between your browser and the server is encrypted, protecting confidentiality; it also safeguards integrity so data can’t be tampered with without detection; and it authenticates the server (via a certificate) so you’re talking to the legitimate site. This combination is what makes HTTPS suitable for sensitive communications like login credentials and payments.

The other descriptions describe different things: an insecure plain text channel would expose data, which HTTPS avoids; FTP over TLS is a separate secure file-transfer protocol (FTPS), not how regular web pages are delivered; and secure email transfer protocols refer to mail, not web traffic.