Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam

The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is specifically designed for sending emails across the Internet. It operates primarily as a protocol for sending emails from a client to a server or between servers, enabling the transfer of message content from the sender to the recipient's email server. When you compose an email and hit send, SMTP is the protocol that processes that message and ensures it is routed to the right destination.

While the other options describe various functions in networking, they do not align with the specific role of SMTP. For instance, connecting to the internet involves protocols like DHCP or PPP, managing network traffic typically relates to protocols such as TCP/IP or others that handle data flow, and securing file transfers can be related to protocols like FTP or SFTP. Hence, SMTP's dedicated functionality makes its role in sending and receiving emails the correct choice.