Which statement best describes HTTPS?

• A. Hyper Text Transfer Protocol - encrypts all information
• B. Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure - encrypts all information
• C. Secure Hyper Text Transfer Protocol - authenticates users
• D. Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure - transfers files securely

Answer: (B)

HTTPS adds security to HTTP by running it over TLS/SSL, so data exchanged between your browser and the server is encrypted. This protects the information in transit from eavesdroppers and tampering, and it also allows the server to be authenticated to the client via certificates. Because of that, the description Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure - encrypts all information best captures what HTTPS does. The other statements mix up the role: HTTP alone doesn’t encrypt data, so that option is inaccurate; authenticating users isn’t the primary function of HTTPS (it mainly authenticates the server and secures the channel); and transferring files securely describes FTP over TLS more than HTTP over TLS.