Which technology helps in securing email communications?

S/MIME, or Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, is a technology specifically designed to secure email communications. It provides encryption and digital signatures for email messages, ensuring both confidentiality and authenticity. When S/MIME is used, emails are encrypted before being sent, so only the intended recipient, who possesses the correct decryption keys, can read the message. Additionally, S/MIME allows senders to attach a digital signature to their messages, which verifies their identity and confirms that the email has not been altered during transit.

The utility of S/MIME in securing emails is significant because it directly addresses the vulnerabilities associated with sending sensitive information over the internet. It protects against unauthorized access and provides assurance of the sender's legitimacy.

While other technologies listed also play roles in network security, they are not primarily focused on securing email communications. SSL secures communications over the internet but is more general and often used for web traffic. IPsec is used for securing IP communications at the network layer, while VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) encrypt traffic between networks but do not specifically target email security. Thus, S/MIME stands out as the most appropriate choice for ensuring the security of email communications.