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

Most independent sources of information require access to a virtual private network or money for cable news subscriptions. —Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 July 2024

But to watch Peacock in the UK, British audiences will need a VPN (virtual private network), a service that allows users to set their computer’s location to another country and access websites that would otherwise be restricted by location. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 4 July 2024

Use a virtual private network to access a free live feed on SkySports (UK), Amazon Prime Video (Australia) or Disney+ Hotstar (India). —Tim Chan, Variety, 29 June 2024

When India banned TikTok in 2020, users found workarounds like VPNs (virtual private networks) and changing their phone’s location. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

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)