What is the purpose of an extranet?

The purpose of an extranet is to allow outsider access to specific internal resources. An extranet serves as a controlled, private gateway between a company's internal network and external users, such as clients, suppliers, or business partners. This selective access enables organizations to share particular information or resources with external entities while maintaining a level of security and protecting sensitive internal data.

By allowing access to specific resources, organizations can foster collaboration, streamline communication, and improve relationships with external partners. This can enhance efficiency by enabling external users to interact with certain applications or databases without compromising the overall security of the internal network.

The other options, while they address aspects of network security and communication, do not accurately capture the primary function of an extranet. Securing internal data, blocking unauthorized traffic, and managing internal communications relate more closely to intranets and other security measures rather than the specific role of an extranet in facilitating access for external users.