What is the primary function of TLS in networking?

The primary function of Transport Layer Security (TLS) in networking is to provide secure web browsing. TLS is a cryptographic protocol that ensures privacy, data integrity, and authenticity for communications over a computer network. When a user connects to a website using HTTPS, which utilizes TLS, the data transmitted between the user's browser and the web server is encrypted. This encryption protects sensitive information, such as login credentials and payment details, from eavesdropping and tampering by unauthorized parties.

The use of TLS helps establish a secure channel between clients and servers, allowing individuals and organizations to trust that their interactions on the web are safeguarded against potential threats. This security is critical as online transactions and communications become increasingly prevalent in daily activities.

While compressing web data, routing network traffic, and securely storing data are important aspects of networking and data management, they do not directly relate to the core purpose of TLS, which is specifically focused on ensuring secure communication over networks.