What is the function of a digital certificate?

A digital certificate serves a critical function in online security by verifying the identity of individuals, organizations, or devices in digital communications and transactions. This verification process is essential for establishing trust between parties; when you engage in activities such as online banking or e-commerce, you want to be sure that you are communicating with a legitimate entity rather than an impersonator.

Digital certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs) and include information such as the owner’s public key, the identity of the owner, and the digital signature of the CA, which attests to the authenticity of the certificate. When a digital certificate is presented in a transaction, it provides assurance that the entity involved is who it claims to be, protecting users from fraud and identity theft.

The other options, while related to cybersecurity in different contexts, do not align with the primary role of a digital certificate. Tracking user activity relates to monitoring behavior rather than verifying identity, creating strong passwords pertains to password security, and decrypting encrypted messages focuses on information security rather than identity verification.