What is the purpose of Triple DES (3DES)?

Triple DES (3DES) is designed as a block cipher for encrypting data. It enhances the security of the original Data Encryption Standard (DES) by applying the DES algorithm three times to each data block. This is done to overcome the vulnerabilities of the single DES encryption method, which had become less secure due to advancements in computing power and increased capabilities of attackers.

By taking the plain text data and encrypting it three times with different keys, 3DES significantly strengthens the encryption process, making it much more resistant to brute force attacks compared to single DES. Its use as a block cipher means it operates on fixed-size blocks of data (typically 64 bits), ensuring consistent data handling during encryption and decryption processes.

The other options describe functionalities that are unrelated to what 3DES is designed to do. Archival data storage, file compression, and managing IP addresses involve different technologies and concepts not associated with encryption. Thus, the correct identification of 3DES as a block cipher for encrypting data clarifies its purpose and application in the field of cybersecurity.