Which protocol is commonly used for secure communication over a network?

The protocol commonly used for secure communication over a network is SSH, or Secure Shell. SSH provides a secure channel over an unsecured network by using encryption to protect data transmission. It is primarily used for secure remote administration of systems and secure file transfers.

SSH replaces older, insecure protocols such as Telnet and FTP, which transmit data in plaintext, making them susceptible to eavesdropping and attacks. By employing SSH, users benefit from strong authentication, data integrity, and confidentiality, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected during transmission.

While HTTP and FTP are standard protocols for web traffic and file transfer, respectively, they do not provide built-in security measures, which is why they are less suitable for secure communication. TCP, on the other hand, operates at a lower level in the networking stack and is responsible for data transfer without addressing security concerns. Thus, SSH stands out as the preferred option for secure communication in networked environments.