What is Public Key Cryptography primarily used for?

Public Key Cryptography is primarily used for secure communication and data protection. This cryptographic method relies on a pair of keys: a public key that can be shared openly and a private key that is kept secret. The system enables the encryption of data in a way that only the intended recipient, who possesses the corresponding private key, can decrypt it. This ensures confidentiality and integrity of the information exchanged over potentially insecure channels, such as the internet.

Through public key infrastructure (PKI), it is also possible to create digital signatures, which provide authenticity and non-repudiation. This enhances the security of transactions and communications, making public key cryptography essential for applications such as email security, secure web browsing (HTTPS), and electronic document signing.

Other choices are not related to the core purposes of public key cryptography; data analysis and manipulation is focused on interpreting and processing data rather than securing it, network performance optimization pertains to improving network efficiency and speed, and user interface design focuses on creating interactive experiences for users, which does not relate to cryptographic functions.