What protocol is based on SSL 3.0 and provides secure data exchange over the Internet?

The correct choice is Transport Layer Security (TLS), as it is a protocol that evolved from the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 3.0 to provide secure communication over a computer network. TLS aims to ensure privacy, integrity, and security of data exchanged across the Internet. It works by encrypting the communication between clients and servers, safeguarding the information from eavesdropping and tampering.

While SSL was the precursor to TLS, it has known vulnerabilities that TLS addresses and improves upon. TLS is widely used in various applications, from web browsing (HTTPS) to email communications, making it a fundamental part of modern Internet security.

The other protocols listed do not focus on secure data exchange in the same manner. HTTP is the basic protocol for web traffic, FTP is used for transferring files without inherent security, and SMTP is primarily for sending emails without built-in security features unless combined with secure extensions. Therefore, TLS is the clear choice for secure data exchange over the Internet.