What technology provides a secure connection for sending data over the internet privately?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure connection for sending data over the internet privately by encrypting the data transmitted between your device and the internet. This encryption protects the integrity and confidentiality of your data, making it difficult for interceptors, such as hackers or government agencies, to access or understand the information being communicated.

When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a secure server before reaching its final destination. This not only masks your IP address, enhancing your online anonymity, but also ensures that your data remains confidential, especially when using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. The combination of encryption and controlled access creates a secure tunnel through which data can travel safely.

Other options, while important for network security and functionality, do not provide the same level of data encryption and privacy for online activity. A firewall mainly serves to block unauthorized access to or from a private network, a proxy server acts as an intermediary, and a router facilitates internet connectivity but doesn't inherently secure data transmission.