What is the primary purpose of authentication in web applications?

The primary purpose of authentication in web applications is to verify the identity of users who access the application. While collecting information from the user can be an aspect of the authentication process—such as gathering usernames and passwords—the central aim is to ensure that only authorized individuals can access certain resources or functionalities within the application.

Authentication serves as the first layer of security to protect user data and application integrity. By confirming that a user is who they claim to be, web applications can restrict access and safeguard sensitive information. This process typically involves checking credentials against a database of authorized users.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of web applications. Increasing loading speed pertains to performance optimization, while compressing files for storage is related to data management rather than user verification. Maintaining user privacy, although important in web applications, is a broader concern that encompasses various practices, including but not limited to, authentication.