Which security feature is provided by HTTPS that distinguishes it from HTTP?

• A. TLS/SSL encryption to secure data in transit.
• B. It uses a higher-latency connection.
• C. It reduces the amount of data sent over the network.
• D. It always uses the same port as HTTP without encryption.

Answer: (A)

HTTPS stands out because it adds TLS/SSL encryption to protect data as it travels between your browser and the server. This encryption keeps sensitive information, such as passwords and payment details, from being read if someone intercepts the traffic. It also authenticates the server with a certificate, helping you verify you’re communicating with the legitimate site and not a fake one.

The other ideas aren’t what makes HTTPS different: the connection isn’t defined by higher latency, and encryption doesn’t aim to reduce the amount of data sent—in fact encryption can introduce a bit of overhead. HTTPS also doesn’t use the same unencrypted port as HTTP; it typically uses a different port (443) to distinguish encrypted traffic.