Which of the following best describes a write blocker?

A write blocker is specifically designed to prevent any alterations to data on a storage device when it is being accessed or analyzed. This functionality is critical in forensic investigations and data recovery, as it ensures that the original data remains intact and unmodified during the process. By allowing access to the data in a read-only manner, a write blocker preserves the integrity of the evidence, which is essential in legal and investigative contexts.

In contrast, the other options describe functions that are not aligned with the primary purpose of a write blocker. For instance, enhancing the speed of data recovery or improving data storage efficiency are related to performance but do not reflect the core function of preventing data alteration. Making data irretrievable is also contrary to what a write blocker is meant to achieve, as it focuses on preserving access to the data while safeguarding it from any changes. Thus, the accurate description of a write blocker is its role in enabling data recovery without risking any alteration to the original data.