How does an SSL certificate enhance web security?

An SSL certificate is primarily designed to enhance web security through the encryption of data transferred between the server and the client. When a user connects to a website that utilizes SSL, the data exchanged, such as personal information, credit card numbers, or any sensitive data, is encrypted. This means that if any unauthorized party attempts to intercept the data while it is being transmitted, they would be unable to read it because it is scrambled and requires a decryption key to decipher.

The encryption provided by SSL ensures that data remains private and secure, thus protecting it from potential attacks such as eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. This enhancement of security is crucial in building trust between users and websites, as users can feel confident that their information is safe from prying eyes.

Other options like user authentication and monitoring web traffic are important aspects of web security but are not the primary function of SSL certificates. While filtering harmful content is also vital, it falls under other security measures rather than the specific capabilities of SSL.