UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 39 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Virtual Private Network

What is “Virtual Private Network”?

  1. It is a private computer network of an organization where remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization.
  2. It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted.
  3. It is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider.
  4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network.
Show answer

Answer: B. It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted.

Verdict

Correct Answer: It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization’s network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted.

Analysis

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure and encrypted connection over the public internet, allowing users to access a private network safely.

A VPN uses the public internet to connect a remote user with a private organisational network. It creates an encrypted “tunnel” through which data travels securely.

This means that even though the data passes through the public internet, it remains protected from unauthorised access. VPNs are commonly used by employees to access office networks, internal databases and private resources while working remotely.

Statement by statement

An option describing only a private internal network is closer to an intranet, not a VPN.

An option describing access to shared computing resources over the internet refers more to cloud computing, not VPN.

The key feature of VPN is the combination of public internet + private secure access + encryption.

Extra UPSC Info
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.
It uses encryption to secure data transmission.
It works through tunnelling, where data packets are securely encapsulated.
Common VPN protocols include IPsec, SSL/TLS, OpenVPN and WireGuard.
VPNs are important in cybersecurity, remote work, data privacy and secure communication.
In India, VPNs have been discussed in relation to CERT-In directions on cybersecurity and data retention.
Final Takeaway

A VPN allows users to securely access a private organisational network through the public internet by using encryption and tunnellin

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