A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the Internet. It allows users to send and receive data while maintaining privacy and security. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a server operated by the VPN provider, which masks your IP address and encrypts your data, making it more difficult for anyone to track your online activities.
The term "VPN" is derived from "Virtual," which means not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to exist, "Private," referring to something that is restricted to a particular individual or group, and "Network," which denotes a group of interconnected people or systems. The concept of VPNs emerged in the 1990s when the need for secure remote access grew with the rise of the Internet.