What service does the Domain Name System (DNS) provide?

The Domain Name System (DNS) primarily serves the function of translating domain names into IP addresses. When users want to access a website, they typically type in a human-readable domain name (like www.example.com). However, computers identify websites using numerical IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1). DNS acts as the intermediary that converts the domain name into the corresponding IP address so that the user's device can locate and connect to the web server hosting the site.

This essential service helps facilitate internet navigation by allowing users to use memorable domain names instead of needing to remember complex numerical addresses. The efficient operation of DNS is fundamental to the functionality of the internet, as it underpins how web traffic is directed to the appropriate servers.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of network and internet functionality. For instance, translating IP addresses into domain names is not a general function of DNS; rather, it’s the reverse process. Securing wireless communications pertains more to encryption and protocols like WPA or WPA2, while optimizing web page loading times is related to caching and content delivery networks, not DNS per se. Thus, these alternatives do not accurately describe the main service provided by DNS.