In the web address, which of the following indicate that a website is secure:

Appeared in: GMCH - 2016

Explanation

The prefix 'https://' indicates a secure website connection.
The 's' in 'https' stands for 'Secure', signifying that the communication between the user's browser and the website is encrypted.
This encryption is achieved through protocols like SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security), which protect sensitive data from being intercepted.
Modern browsers visually confirm this security with a padlock icon in the address bar.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: The 'http://' protocol is not secure. Data sent over HTTP is in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception and reading by unauthorized parties.
Option C: 'httpsw://' is not a valid or recognized internet protocol. It is a fabricated option designed to confuse by adding an extra letter to the correct prefix.
Option D: 'httpsec://' is not a valid internet protocol, although 'sec' is an abbreviation for secure. The standardized notation is a single 's' to form 'https'.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Website Security Protocols (HTTP vs. HTTPS) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must exclusively use websites with 'https://' when accessing Electronic Health Records (EHRs), patient portals, or any system containing Protected Health Information (PHI) to maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection laws like HIPAA.
Verifying the 'https://' prefix is a critical digital literacy skill for healthcare professionals to prevent accidental data breaches.
What if? If a nurse is directed to a health-related website for work that uses 'http://', they should not enter any patient or personal data and should report the insecure site to their IT or compliance department immediately.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key term in the question, which is 'secure'.
Analyze the options provided. Notice that they are all variations of the 'http' prefix.
Recall the basic protocols for web browsing. 'HTTP' is the standard protocol, and 'HTTPS' is its secure counterpart.
The 's' is the key differentiator, standing for 'Secure'.
Eliminate the other options ('httpsw://' and 'httpsec://') as they are not standard, valid web protocols.
Select 'https://' as the correct indicator of a secure website.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Website Security Protocols (HTTP vs. HTTPS)
Stem keywords: web address, website, secure
Lead-in keywords: which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QxD7_zhG_vwLoHJ60jAgJR

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 8756-8758

Practise the full GMCH - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

Attempt this paper Attempt in the NPrep app