Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What is used to authenticate and verify the identity of a website?

1. SSL certificate

2. Digital certificate

3. Encryption key

4. Token

The correct answer is: Digital certificate

The correct choice for authenticating and verifying the identity of a website is the digital certificate. A digital certificate is an electronic document that uses a digital signature to bind a public key with an identity—typically the identity of a website. This ensures secure connections between users and websites, allowing browsers to confirm the legitimacy of the website they are communicating with. Digital certificates are typically issued by trusted third-party entities known as Certificate Authorities (CAs), which validate the organization’s identity before issuing the certificate. When a user accesses a website, the browser checks the certificate to ensure it is valid and signed by a trusted CA. If the certificate is verified, the browser can proceed with secure communications, establishing confidence in the site's authenticity. While SSL certificates are indeed a form of digital certificate specifically used to secure connections through encryption, the term "digital certificate" encompasses broader types used for various identity verification purposes beyond just SSL/TLS. The other options, such as encryption keys and tokens, serve different functions in the realm of cybersecurity, such as securing data or managing sessions, rather than solely establishing identity verification.