What is the primary function of a VPN?

The primary function of a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is to provide a secure connection over the internet. This is achieved by establishing an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a VPN server. Such encryption safeguards the data as it travels through the internet, protecting it from unauthorized access and potential interception by malicious entities.

Additionally, a VPN can mask the user’s IP address, which enhances privacy and anonymity online. This is crucial in scenarios where sensitive information is being transmitted or when users wish to access content without revealing their actual location. Therefore, the ability of a VPN to ensure security and privacy while using the internet makes its primary function particularly significant in both personal and professional contexts.

Other options do not align with the core purpose of a VPN. For instance, managing email communications is outside the scope of what a VPN accomplishes; its focus is on securing internet connections rather than handling specific types of communication. Monitoring network traffic pertains to network management tools and practices that analyze data flow, which is unrelated to the primary function of a VPN. Lastly, while enhancing video streaming quality may be a beneficial outcome in certain scenarios (for example, by bypassing bandwidth throttling), it is not the VPN's primary role, which centers on security and privacy