What does S/MIME primarily facilitate in digital communication?

S/MIME, which stands for Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, is a standard used to enhance the security of email communication. It primarily facilitates the sending of digitally signed and encrypted email messages.

When an email is sent using S/MIME, it can be digitally signed to verify the sender's identity, ensuring that the recipient can trust the origin of the message. Additionally, S/MIME provides encryption for the contents of the email, which protects the information from being read by unauthorized parties during transmission. This dual capability of providing both authentication and confidentiality is crucial in maintaining secure communications over the internet.

Other options do not accurately reflect S/MIME's functions. Sending unencrypted email messages goes against the purpose of S/MIME, which is all about enhancing security. Managing email servers and enhancing email storage are related to email administration and infrastructure, but they do not pertain to the specific security mechanisms provided by S/MIME for individual email communication.