What does Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol primarily provide?

The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol primarily provides secure authentication between applications. This is crucial for establishing a secure and encrypted connection between a client and a server, ensuring that the data being transmitted remains private and protected from interception or tampering. SSL achieves this by using encryption techniques to safeguard the data during transit and by providing a mechanism for verifying the identities of the parties involved in the connection, thus promoting trust and security.

By doing so, SSL plays a vital role in securing sensitive information such as credit card numbers or personal data when transmitted over the internet, especially during online transactions or form submissions. The authentication process ensures that the communicating parties are who they claim to be, thereby preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and other forms of cyber threats.

While data compression, network routing optimization, and content delivery are important aspects of network communication, they do not fall under the primary functions of SSL. The main focus of SSL is securing communication rather than optimizing routing or enhancing delivery efficiency.