Which protocol provides a more secure version of HTTP via encryption?

The protocol that provides a more secure version of HTTP via encryption is HTTPS. It stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS uses encryption protocols such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) to ensure that the data transmitted between a user's web browser and the web server remains private and secure. This encryption protects against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, making it essential for secure online transactions and communications, especially when sensitive information such as credit card numbers or personal details are being exchanged.

In contrast, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is primarily used for transferring files between computers but does not inherently secure the data being transferred. HTTP itself does not provide any encryption, making it susceptible to interception. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is used for retrieving emails but does not relate to the secure transfer of web data as HTTPS does. Each of these other protocols serves different functions and lacks the secure encryption feature that HTTPS provides for web communications.