What is the purpose of permissions in a computer network?

The primary purpose of permissions in a computer network is to restrict or grant access to files and folders. Permissions serve as a key mechanism for controlling who can view, modify, or delete data within a system. By setting specific permissions, network administrators can ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive information, thereby enhancing security and preventing data breaches.

Permissions play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of information within shared environments. For instance, a user may be granted read-only access to certain documents while others may be allowed full edit capabilities. This granularity helps protect important data from unauthorized access or unintended alterations, ensuring that the proper protocols are in place for data management.

While sharing data between users is a function of permissions, the core purpose is more about access control rather than just enabling sharing. The other options, such as deleting files automatically or accelerating system performance, do not align with the fundamental concept of permissions in networking, as those functions serve entirely different objectives within a computer system.