VPN is an acronym that stands for Virtual Private Network. Each word describes a key function of the technology. "Virtual" signifies that the secure connection it creates is not a physical cable but a logical, software-defined connection over the existing internet. "Private" means that your data is encrypted and your online activities are hidden from your Internet Service Provider, government agencies, and potential hackers, ensuring your browsing remains confidential. "Network" refers to the infrastructure that allows your device to connect to a remote server, effectively placing you on a different network and allowing you to access resources as if you were locally connected.