What Is Data Protocol?
Data protocol lets electronic devices communicate with each other clearly and efficiently.
Advertiser Disclosure
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
Close
Editorial Policy
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
- All About Cookies makes money when you click the links on our site to some of the products and offers that we mention. These partnerships do not influence our opinions or recommendations. Read more about how we make money.
- Partners are not able to review or request changes to our content except for compliance reasons.
- We aim to make sure everything on our site is up-to-date and accurate as of the publishing date, but we cannot guarantee we haven't missed something. It's your responsibility to double-check all information before making any decision. If you spot something that looks wrong, please let us know.
Close
Data protocol is a standard set of regulations and requirements that allow two electronic items to connect to and exchange information with one another across a network.
Protocols regulate data transmission among devices as well as within a network of linked devices through both error control and specifying which data compression method to use. In particular, protocols decide the following:
- The method of error checking
- How to compact data (if required)
- How the transmitting device signals that it has concluded sending data
- How the receiving device signals that it has completed receiving data
We'll walk you through the most common internet protocols and the best VPNs to protect your data.
/images/2022/05/26/logo-nordvpn.png){kind=logo}
Limited-time deal: 2 years of NordVPN with 68% off + 3 extra months
-
Loads of servers for multiple connection options
-
Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
-
From $3.19/mo
-
Limited-time deal on 2-year plan
-
Too many confusing plans
Loads of servers for multiple connection options
Too many confusing plans
What are the different types of data protocols?
The most common internet protocols are:
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
- HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
- TCP (Transfer Control Protocol)
- IP (Internet Protocol)
- SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
- Post Office Protocol (POP)
- Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP)
- User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
How to keep your data safe
If you're looking to protect your data as it's transferred from network to network, you can invest in a virtual private network (VPN). Here are some recommendations:
- NordVPN: NordVPN is a privacy-forward VPN. Its no-logs policy has been audited, it's based in Panama (so it's not subject to data retention laws), and it uses AES-256 encryption, which is used by governments and banks,
- ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is a premium provider with premium privacy features. It comes with the standard VPN features, like a kill switch and split tunneling, passed our DNS and WebRTC leak tests, and has a strict no-logs policy that's been independently audited.
- Surfshark: Surfshark is a great VPN if you're looking for affordable privacy. Its starting price is under $3/mo and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, but it doesn't skimp on privacy features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and even double VPN.
And if you want the utmost privacy with your VPN use, you can view our list of the best no-logs VPNs.
Limited-time deal: 2 years of NordVPN with 68% off + 3 extra months
-
Loads of servers for multiple connection options
-
Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
-
From $3.19/mo
-
Limited-time deal on 2-year plan
-
Too many confusing plans
+
Table of Contents
Related Articles
/images/2022/08/18/how-to-stop-facebook-ads.jpg)
How to Stop Getting Facebook Ads in 2023
Are you annoyed with all the Facebook ads you see when scrolling through your news feed? There are ways to block those ads, learn how here.
/images/2022/08/11/nordvpn-review.png)
NordVPN Review 2023: Does It Live Up to the Hype?
Despite its higher-than-average cost, NordVPN offers excellent standards of security and privacy without compromising on internet speed.
/images/2022/09/23/how-to-increase-internet-speed.jpeg)
How to Speed Up Your Internet Connection
Slow internet can be disruptive, but you can fix it. Here’s how.
/images/2022/06/30/how-to-unblock-netflix-with-vpn.png)
How to Watch Netflix with a VPN (and Change Your Netflix Region)
Learn how to watch Netflix with a VPN if you want to access geo-restricted streaming content from another country.