Which technology allows the creation of secure tunnels over the internet?

The technology that permits the creation of secure tunnels over the internet is the Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN establishes a private network over a public network, encrypting data and providing a secure pathway for communication. This is particularly beneficial for remote workers or organizations needing secure connections between various branch offices, as it ensures that data transmitted over the internet is protected from eavesdropping and unauthorized access.

VPNs work by encapsulating the data being transmitted and tunneling it through a secure connection to its destination. Users often employ VPNs to safeguard their online activities, particularly when using unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks, as it shields sensitive information like passwords and credit card information.

In contrast, while firewalls and proxy servers play important roles in network security and data management, they do not create secure tunnels. Firewalls monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, while proxy servers act as intermediaries between a user's device and the internet, providing varying levels of anonymity and filtering content but not establishing secure tunnels in the way a VPN does. DNS (Domain Name System) is a system for translating domain names into IP addresses, which does not encompass any features related to securing data transmission or creating tunnels.