The URL of a secure website begins with which of the following?

A secure website is identified by a URL that begins with HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. This protocol is an extension of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) that incorporates a security layer, specifically using encryption through Transport Layer Security (TLS) or its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This encryption provides a secure channel for communication between the user's web browser and the server hosting the website, ensuring that data such as login information, credit card numbers, and personal details are transmitted securely and are less vulnerable to interception by malicious actors.

In contrast, URLs beginning with HTTP do not have that security layer, making them less secure for transmitting sensitive information. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and while it is used for transferring files, it does not provide any inherent security measures like those found in HTTPS. WS stands for WebSocket or Web Services in some contexts but it does not imply any form of secure transmission by itself. Therefore, HTTPS is the protocol that indicates a secure connection, which is why it is the correct choice for identifying the URL of a secure website.