Which protocol is primarily used for secure data transmission over the internet?

The correct choice is HTTPS because it stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, and it is designed explicitly for secure communication over a computer network, particularly the internet. HTTPS encrypts the data exchanged between the user's browser and the web server using protocols such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security). This encryption ensures that sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, is protected from eavesdropping or tampering during transmission.

In contrast, the other protocols listed do not inherently provide secure data transmission. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is responsible for ensuring reliable data delivery but does not include security features. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is used for simpler, faster data transmission without guarantees for delivery or order, making it unsuitable for secure data exchange. IP (Internet Protocol) is concerned with routing packets of data across networks but lacks any inherent encryption or security measures. Therefore, HTTPS is the protocol specifically designed to ensure secure data transmission over the internet.