How does HTTPS ensure secure communication over a computer network?

HTTPS ensures secure communication over a computer network primarily by encrypting communications using Transport Layer Security (TLS). When a user connects to a website via HTTPS, a secure connection is established through a series of steps that include the negotiation of a cryptographic protocol, encryption of data being transmitted, and authentication of the server.

This encryption protects data from being intercepted or read by unauthorized parties, thus ensuring confidentiality and integrity. When data is transmitted over HTTPS, it is encrypted in such a way that even if it were intercepted while in transit, it would be extremely difficult for anyone without the proper decryption keys to understand the information.

While cookies are part of session handling and can sometimes be used in conjunction with HTTPS to manage user sessions securely, they do not provide the inherent encryption that HTTPS does. Similarly, limiting access to certain IP addresses or employing firewall strategies can enhance security measures but do not directly affect the encryption of data during transmission.