What does 'HTTPS' stand for in web protocols?

HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, which is an extension of HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). It is designed to provide secure communication over a computer network, utilizing encryption protocols to protect the data being exchanged between the server and the client.

The inclusion of "Secure" in HTTPS signifies that it uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) or, previously, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt the transmitted information. This encryption helps safeguard sensitive data, such as personal information and payment details, from potential interception by malicious actors.

The importance of HTTPS has grown significantly with the rise of online transactions and data privacy concerns. Websites that implement HTTPS provide greater security assurance to users, which is why it is now a standard practice for many online services, particularly e-commerce and banking sites.

In contrast to the other options, they do not represent the correct terminology or function of the protocol. For instance, "HyperText Transfer Protocol Standard" does not include the crucial aspect of security, while "Hyper Transfer Text Protocol Secure" and "Hyperlink Transfer Protocol System" convey inaccuracies regarding the terminology and structure of web protocols. Hence, the correct and most widely recognized interpretation is that HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure.