VPN

noun

ˌvē-ˌpē-ˈen 

plural VPNs

: a private computer network that functions over a public network : virtual private network

As more employees connect to their office networks from home, they expose the company to attack. A VPN lets companies use the Internet as a secure pathway into their existing network.

—Michael Bertin

VPNs help cloak your browsing information from your internet provider. When you use VPN software, your device connects to a VPN provider's servers. That way, all your web traffic passes through the VPN provider's internet connection.

—Brian X. Chen

Examples of VPN in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How to Watch Copa del Rey Final With VPN Another way to watch the Mallorca vs. Athletic Club soccer match online? —Tim Chan, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024

Avoid public Wi-Fi To minimize the risk of data interception by cyber criminals, use a virtual private network (VPN) or your mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi networks. —Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024

By Brian Fung | CNN Searches for virtual private networking (VPN) software briefly spiked in Texas this week after Pornhub suspended service in the state over a law forcing adult websites to verify the age or identities of their users. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024

Here are some recent stats from Atlas VPN, which reviewed some of the most popular shopping apps. —Kim Komando, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2023

The platforms are now only available to Russians via VPN. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2023

Note that at the three- and five-device tiers, an extra $20 per year gets you the Malwarebytes Privacy VPN. —PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023

Endpoint protection everywhere Having a virtual private network (VPN) is another important security solution for business leaders. —Chintan Patel, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023

Some of the most popular ones include WireGuard VPN, OpenVPN and SoftEther. —Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above