Which protocol operates on port 80 and is known for non-encrypted communication in browsers?

The correct answer is HTTP, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. This protocol is fundamental to the World Wide Web, as it is used for transferring hypertext (web pages) between a web server and a client (web browser). It operates on port 80, which is the default port for HTTP traffic, facilitating non-encrypted communication over the internet.

HTTP allows users to access websites and retrieve online content seamlessly, making it a core part of how data is communicated on the web. The lack of encryption means that data transmitted over HTTP can be intercepted and read by anyone who has access to the data stream, which is an important consideration for users who need to protect sensitive information.

In contrast, protocols such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and POP3 (Post Office Protocol) serve different purposes—FTP is used for transferring files, SNMP is used for network management, and POP3 is utilized for retrieving emails from a server. None of these protocols operate on port 80 or are associated with web page communication in the same way that HTTP is.