Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP)

Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP) is a lightweight protocol providing simple object-based content vectoring for HTTP services. ICAP is used to extend transparent proxy servers. This frees up resources and standardizes the implementation of new features. It uses a cache to proxy all client transactions and process the transactions using ICAP Web servers, which are designed for specific functions such as virus scanning, content translation, content filtering or ad insertion.

ICAP performs content manipulation as a value added service for the appropriate client HTTP request or HTTP response. Thus the name "content adaptation."

This term is also known as Internet Content Adaption Protocol.