VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A service that encrypts network traffic between your device and the VPN server, reducing the risk of interception on unsecured networks. A sensible default when using public Wi-Fi for professional work. Adds some latency, usually imperceptible for text-based work and email.
Defined in 2 GAGE programs, which carry 3 distinct definitions of it. The wording above is taught in AI Literacy & Professional Conduct.
How each discipline defines it
The same term does different work depending on who is using it. These are the definitions as each program teaches them, unedited.
A service that encrypts network traffic between your device and the VPN server, reducing the risk of interception on unsecured networks. A sensible default when using public Wi-Fi for professional work. Adds some latency, usually imperceptible for text-based work and email.
A tool that routes internet traffic through an intermediary server, commonly used in China to circumvent Great Firewall blocking of foreign services; its use to access blocked AI tools sits in a genuine legal gray zone under current Chinese practice.
A service that creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server, protecting your data from interception on public or untrusted networks. Required by many organizations for remote work.
Where it is taught
The exact lessons this term appears in. The first 7 topics of every program are free with a free account.
- Digital Readiness Self-Audit · Digital Foundations, AI Literacy & Professional Conduct
- Online Safety, Privacy, and Data Basics · Digital Foundations, AI Literacy & Professional Conduct
Terms it appears with
Not an alphabetical neighbourhood: these are the terms taught in the same lessons, ranked by how often they appear together.