What is a key characteristic of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)?

A key characteristic of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is that they use the public Internet for communications while creating a secure and encrypted connection between users and a private network. This method allows individuals or organizations to transmit sensitive data over the Internet as if they were directly connected to a private network, ensuring confidentiality and security.

VPNs can support a flexible number of users, allowing remote workers and employees to connect securely to a company's internal network from different locations. This scalability makes them versatile for organizations of all sizes.

Additionally, VPNs aim to provide similar services to traditional private networks, such as enabling access to resources, applications, and services that are available on a private network while still ensuring secure communications over potentially unsafe public connections.

Thus, the combination of these features encapsulates the primary functions and advantages of VPN technology, making it appropriate to identify them collectively as defining characteristics of VPNs.