CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is the purpose of digital certificates in PKI?

1. To bind public keys with a digital signature

2. To encrypt data being transmitted

3. To create virtual private networks

4. To manage network addresses

The correct answer is: To bind public keys with a digital signature

Digital certificates play a crucial role in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) by validating the authenticity of public keys. The primary purpose of a digital certificate is to establish a trustworthy link between the public key and the identity of the certificate holder. This link is made possible through a digital signature. When a certificate authority (CA) issues a digital certificate, it signs the certificate with its own private key, which assures users that the certificate has not been tampered with and that it genuinely belongs to the specified entity. This binding of the public key to the entity's identity enables secure communication. Users can verify the certificate's authenticity by checking the CA's signature using the CA's public key. This process ensures that public keys are trustworthy and can be used to encrypt messages or verify signatures, thereby enhancing security in digital communications. Other options, while related to network security and management, do not describe the primary role of digital certificates in PKI. Encrypting data typically happens after the verification process enables secure keys to be used. Creating virtual private networks involves broader concepts beyond just digital certificates and relates more to tunneling protocols than to PKI. Managing network addresses concerns IP addresses and routing rather than identity verification associated with digital certificates. Thus, the function of binding public keys