What is the primary function of the DNS?

The primary function of the Domain Name System (DNS) is to translate human-readable domain names, such as www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, like 192.0.2.1. This translation is necessary because while humans find it easier to remember names, devices on the internet communicate using numerical IP addresses. When you enter a URL into your browser, the DNS resolves that domain name to its corresponding IP address, enabling your device to locate the web server and retrieve the desired webpage.

The other options relate to different aspects of networking. Providing secure data encryption pertains to security protocols like HTTPS and SSL/TLS, assigning IP addresses to devices falls under DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and controlling user access to the network involves authentication and authorization mechanisms. Thus, translating domain names to IP addresses is distinctly the core functionality of DNS.