virtual private network

noun

plural virtual private networks

: a private computer network that functions over a public network (such as the Internet) and usually utilizes data encryption to provide secure access to something (such as an internal business server or private network)

He persuaded its users to communicate through a virtual private network, or VPN, a secure channel that sends encrypted messages between computers …

—James Verini

Tony, like all savvy Internet thieves, uses a virtual private network that masks his computer's true Internet Protocol address every time he logs on.

—Joe Light

called also VPN

Examples of virtual private network in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the most cost-effective ways to throw a wrench in the gears of the surveillance state is by piping your service through a virtual private network, and a new announcement from ExpressVPN makes professional-grade protection more affordable and flexible than ever. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025

But research has shown searches for virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow anyone to spoof their geographic location when accessing the internet, went up — as did traffic to sites that did not implement age verification systems. —Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025

This security relies on protocols—like virtual private networks (VPN), transport layer security (TLS), Secure Shell (SSH)—and public key infrastructure (PKI), a system that uses one key to encrypt data and a separate key to decrypt it. —Anand Oswal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Swatters typically conceal their identities by relaying threats through online crisis counselors in hopes that the individual will contact 911 on their behalf, or use software to call from a computer while using a virtual private network, Hill said. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for virtual private network

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

virtual private network

noun

: a private computer network that functions over a public network (as the Internet) and usually uses data encryption to provide secure access to something (as an internal business server)