Transport Protocols

Transport protocols, such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) helps determine how data gets transmitted over networks. TCP is designed for reliability making sure that every bit of data reaches its destination correctly. So just think of planning a meeting with your friends you confirm the time and then wait for everyone to acknowledge, and ensure everyone is ready before starting the activity. This handshake process guarantees coordinated communication.

UDP, on the other hand prioritizes speed over reliability, similar to broadcasting a quick announcement online without checking if everyone saw it. This makes UDP suitable for streaming or gaming, where speed matters more than precision.

Cybersecurity professionals closely monitor these transport protocols, as unusual patterns like an unexpected flood of unanswered messages (TCP SYN flood)—could indicate cyberattacks.