Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What do VPNs open over the Internet?

1. A secure access point

2. A VPN tunnel

3. A network interface

4. A communication protocol

The correct answer is: A VPN tunnel

VPNs establish a VPN tunnel over the Internet to create a secure communication pathway between the user’s device and the destination network. This tunneling process ensures that data sent over the public Internet is encrypted and secure from eavesdropping or interception. While the other options mention important aspects of networking, they do not specifically describe what is created by a VPN. For instance, a secure access point refers to a safe place to connect to a network but does not capture the essence of the VPN's operation. A network interface refers to the point where the device connects to the network, and a communication protocol outlines rules for data exchange but does not specifically denote the secure connection that the VPN creates. The uniqueness of the VPN tunnel lies in its ability to encapsulate and encrypt communication, making it distinct and essential for secure remote access.