Which of the following describes a digital signature's primary purpose?

A digital signature's primary purpose is to verify authenticity. This means that it allows the recipient of a message to confirm that the message was indeed created and sent by the claimed sender, and that it has not been altered in transit. Digital signatures use cryptographic algorithms to create a unique hash of the message, which is then encrypted with the sender's private key. When the recipient receives the message, they can decrypt the signature using the sender's public key and compare the hash values. If they match, it verifies that the message is authentic and has not been tampered with.

Digital signatures serve as a crucial element in various applications such as software distribution and electronic contracts, ensuring that the identities of the parties involved are valid and maintaining the integrity of the information exchanged. In this context, the other options do not directly align with the primary role of digital signatures. Encrypting data refers to confidentiality—protecting information from unauthorized access. Generating keys is related to the processes used in encryption and authentication but does not encapsulate the purpose of digital signatures. Ensuring privacy is a separate concept from authenticity, as it involves protecting the content from being seen rather than confirming the source's identity.