Which of the following is an example of encrypted communications?

HTTPS is an example of encrypted communications because it extends the standard HTTP protocol by adding a layer of security using SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security). This encryption ensures that the data exchanged between a user's web browser and the web server is secure and private, protecting against eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and data tampering.

When a user connects to a website using HTTPS, the information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, is encrypted during transmission. This gives users confidence that their sensitive information is not easily accessible to potential hackers or unauthorized parties.

In contrast, protocols like FTP, HTTP, and Telnet do not offer built-in encryption, which means that the data transmitted through these channels can be intercepted and read by malicious actors. Since they lack this critical security feature, they are not considered secure for transmitting sensitive information over the internet.