What does HTTPS stand for in web security?

HTTPS stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. This extension of HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) incorporates a security layer, specifically SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security), which encrypts the data being sent and received over the internet. This encryption is vital for safeguarding sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, from being intercepted by malicious entities during transmission.

The use of HTTPS is especially important for websites that handle confidential user data or transactions, as it helps ensure that the data remains private and untampered with. The presence of HTTPS can often be identified by a padlock icon in the web browser's address bar, indicating that the connection is secure.

The other options include incorrect terminologies or concepts that do not accurately describe the protocol. For example, "High Technology Transfer Protocol Secure" and "Hypertext Transfer Process Secure" do not reflect the accepted terminology in web security, while "HTTP Script Transfer Protocol Secure" misrepresents the nature of the HTTP protocol and scripting. Thus, the correct designation of HTTPS is essential in understanding the pertinent security measures it provides for web communications.