Final answer:
Rick must allow traffic through TCP port 443 to enable access to a web server running the HTTPS protocol. This port is the standard used for HTTPS traffic, which is encrypted for secure communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rick is preparing a firewall rule that will allow network traffic from external systems to a web server running the HTTPS protocol. The TCP port he must allow to pass through the firewall for HTTPS traffic is port 443. When configuring firewall rules, it's important to allow the correct port used by the protocol in question. Port 80 is used for HTTP, port 25 for SMTP (used for sending emails), and port 143 for IMAP (used for retrieving emails from a server). None of these ports are suitable for HTTPS, which is specifically designed to transmit web traffic securely and is distinct from these other services.