Which protocol is used for transferring files over the Internet?

The protocol primarily used for transferring files over the Internet is File Transfer Protocol (FTP). This protocol is specifically designed to facilitate the transfer of files between systems, allowing users to upload, download, and manage files on remote servers.

FTP operates on a client-server model, where the client (the user) connects to an FTP server, authenticates if necessary, and then can access a directory structure to retrieve or place files. Its functionality is essential for tasks like sharing documents, images, and software across different systems.

While other options like SMTP (used for email transfer), IP (which is a foundational protocol for routing packets of data across networks), and HTTP (commonly used for transferring web pages) have their specific roles, none are primarily focused on file transfer tasks in the same way that FTP is. Therefore, understanding the dedicated use of FTP helps differentiate it from other protocols that serve different purposes.