What is the primary function of HTTPS?

The primary function of HTTPS is to encrypt and transfer hypertext pages. This protocol is an extension of HTTP and uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) to establish a secure connection between a web server and a client, which helps protect the integrity and confidentiality of the data exchanged. By encrypting the data, HTTPS ensures that sensitive information, such as login credentials and personal details, is not easily intercepted or tampered with by malicious actors.

While options like verifying website identity do play a role in the broader context of secure browsing, that function is more about the establishment of trust through certificates rather than the primary operation of transferring hypertext itself. Transferring video files or blocking unwanted ads does not encompass the fundamental purpose of HTTPS, which focuses specifically on the secure transmission of web page content.