What is the main purpose of a digital certificate?

The primary purpose of a digital certificate is to verify identity in secure communications. Digital certificates serve as an electronic passport for individuals, organizations, or devices, confirming their legitimacy in digital transactions. They are typically issued by trusted entities known as Certificate Authorities (CAs), providing assurance that the public key contained in the certificate belongs to the person or organization identified by the certificate.

In secure communications, such as those using SSL/TLS protocols, digital certificates play a crucial role by facilitating secure connections over the internet. They help prevent impersonation and ensure that data exchanged between parties is protected. By validating identities, they help build trust in the online environment, which is essential for transactions—ranging from e-commerce to secure emails.

Other options do not align with the primary function of a digital certificate. While encryption is related to security, it is a separate mechanism that employs keys, which may be facilitated by digital certificates but not the main purpose of a certificate itself. Managing passwords and monitoring network traffic are also unrelated to the core function of a digital certificate, which focuses on identity verification.