What is the primary purpose of SSH (Secure Shell)?

The primary purpose of SSH (Secure Shell) is to provide secure remote access to a machine. SSH is widely used for securely accessing and managing networked devices and servers over an unsecured network. It encrypts the communication between the client and the server, ensuring that sensitive data, such as usernames and passwords, remain confidential and protected from eavesdroppers.

While SSH can facilitate file transfers through protocols like SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) or SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), its core function is remote access and command execution. It allows system administrators to log into remote servers, run commands, and manage systems securely. This control over remote systems is fundamental in many IT and cybersecurity environments, making it an essential tool for maintaining and troubleshooting servers and network devices.

Other options, while related to network operations, do not accurately reflect SSH's primary intention. File transfer, network management, and email communication can utilize other protocols better suited for those specific purposes (like FTP, SNMP, or SMTP) without the primary focus on secure remote access and command execution that SSH provides.