QUIC, which stands for Quick UDP Internet Connections, is a transport layer network protocol developed by Google. It aims to improve the performance of web applications by reducing latency and enhancing security. QUIC operates over UDP instead of the traditional TCP, allowing for faster connection establishment and better handling of packet loss. One of the key features of QUIC is its built-in encryption, which provides a secure connection without the need for additional protocols like TLS. This makes it particularly useful for applications that require quick and secure data transmission, such as video streaming and online gaming.