Which of the following is a tool commonly used in conducting vulnerability assessments?

Vulnerability scanners are essential tools employed in conducting vulnerability assessments because they automate the process of identifying security weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications. These scanners analyze the target environment to detect known vulnerabilities based on updated databases and provide reports that outline security flaws, misconfigurations, and potential areas of exploitation. This efficiency allows security analysts to prioritize vulnerabilities and address them effectively, aiding in the overall cybersecurity posture of an organization.

The other options, while important in various aspects of cybersecurity, do not serve the same purpose. Firewalls focus on preventing unauthorized access to or from a network rather than assessing vulnerabilities. Encryption software is designed to protect data by converting it into unreadable code, thereby securing information but not assessing system weaknesses. Web browsers are tools for accessing the internet and do not inherently evaluate security vulnerabilities. Each of these tools plays a strategic role in a comprehensive security framework, but vulnerability scanners specifically target the assessment of vulnerabilities.