What does the acronym "VPN" stand for?

The acronym "VPN" stands for "Virtual Private Network." A Virtual Private Network is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet. VPNs are used primarily to protect private web traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. When a user connects to a VPN, their internet connection is routed through a server controlled by the VPN provider, which masks their IP address and encrypts the data transmitted between the user's device and the VPN server. This technology is commonly used by businesses to provide secure remote access to their internal networks as well as by individuals seeking to maintain privacy while browsing the web.