Which technology is essential for maintaining a safe connection over a public network?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essential for maintaining a safe connection over a public network because it creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between the user's device and the internet. This encryption protects data from being intercepted by unauthorized users. When you connect to the internet through a public Wi-Fi network, sensitive information such as passwords, personal messages, and financial data can be vulnerable to attacks. A VPN mitigates these risks by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, making it much more difficult for cybercriminals to access your information.

In contrast, while a firewall acts as a barrier to regulate incoming and outgoing network traffic and can prevent unauthorized access to a private network, it does not provide encryption for data traveling over public networks. A router is responsible for directing data packets within a network and can offer basic security features but does not secure that connection in the same way a VPN does. Similarly, a switch facilitates communication between devices on the same local area network (LAN) but does not provide security features necessary for safe connections over public networks. Thus, using a VPN is the best solution for ensuring the security and privacy of data transmitted over insecure public networks.