Which security feature is utilized when communicating over HTTPS?

The choice highlighting encryption using SSL or TLS is the correct answer because HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is designed to provide a secure communication channel over a computer network. This is accomplished through the use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), which encrypts the data transmitted between a user's web browser and the web server.

This encryption ensures that the data remains confidential and is not easily intercepted or tampered with by malicious actors during transmission. By securing the communication, HTTPS helps protect sensitive information, such as login credentials or payment information, maintaining both user privacy and data integrity.

Other options, such as data compression or public access, do not directly contribute to the security aspect of HTTPS communications. Session tracking with cookies, while related to managing user sessions, does not inherently provide the encrypted channel that SSL or TLS does. Thus, the primary security feature of HTTPS revolves around the encryption provided by SSL or TLS.