What does an SSL/TLS certificate do?

An SSL/TLS certificate plays a crucial role in securing communications over networks, particularly the internet. Its primary functions include authenticating the identity of a website, which assures users that they are connecting to the legitimate site and not an imposter. This verification is performed through a trusted certificate authority (CA) that issues and manages these certificates.

In addition to authentication, an SSL/TLS certificate enables encryption of the data transmitted between the client (e.g., web browser) and the server. This means that even if the data is intercepted during transmission, it cannot be easily read or manipulated by attackers. The combination of these two features—authentication and encryption—ensures that users can trust that their sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, is safe.

The other options do not accurately capture the complete role of an SSL/TLS certificate. While SSL/TLS does encrypt data, it does not encrypt all network traffic universally, and its primary purpose is not limited to email communications or solely verifying user identities for network access. Instead, its focus is on securing web traffic by creating a safe, encrypted channel for communication.