What is the purpose of a VPN in cybersecurity?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, serves to create a secure tunnel for internet traffic. This technology encrypts the data being transmitted over the internet, protecting it from interception by unauthorized parties. When a user connects to a VPN, their internet traffic is routed through a server that creates a secure and private connection, making it much more difficult for attackers to access sensitive information such as passwords, personal details, or financial data.

This secure communication channel is particularly important for users accessing public Wi-Fi networks, where the risk of data breaches is significantly higher. By utilizing a VPN, users can maintain privacy and security while browsing the internet, accessing corporate networks, or communicating with others.

The other options address important aspects of cybersecurity, but they do not accurately capture the primary function of a VPN. For example, securely backing up data is crucial for data integrity, monitoring network traffic for malicious activity is essential for threat detection, and enhancing physical security relates more to protecting devices from theft or damage instead of securing network communications. However, these functions are not the main purpose of a VPN, which is fundamentally about securing internet traffic.