A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a service that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and a remote server owned by a VPN provider, creating a digital connection between your computer and the wider internet. When you use a VPN, it encrypts all of your data from the moment it leaves your device, and your information passes through a safe intermediate stage, known as a VPN server. The VPN server can hide your private information and pretend that you are logging on from elsewhere globally, which allows you to access geo-locked services.

A VPN can be used for various purposes, including:

• Privacy: A VPN can help protect your privacy online by encrypting your connection and preventing others from tracking your online activity.

• Security: A VPN can help protect your data from hackers and other malicious actors by encrypting your connection and preventing others from intercepting your data.

• Access: A VPN can help you access geo-locked content by allowing you to connect to a server in a different location and appear as if you are accessing the internet from that location.

There are different types of VPNs, including remote access VPNs, which allow off-site users to connect to an organizations network or a remote server from their personal device. VPNs can be accessed through a VPN app, which is a software application that allows you to make a connection to a remote VPN server after you enter your login credentials.