What is “Virtual Private Network”?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]

(a) It is a private computer network of an organization where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization

(b) It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted

(c) It is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider

(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network

Answer: (b)        

Explanation:

• A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that creates a safe, encrypted online connection.
• Internet users may use a VPN to give themselves more privacy and anonymity online or circumvent geographic-based blocking and censorship.
• VPNs essentially extend a private network across a public network, which should allow a user to securely send and receive data across the internet.