What technology is often used to secure sensitive information in transit?

The use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a widely recognized method for securing sensitive information in transit. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and the destination server, which effectively protects data as it travels across the internet. This encryption ensures that unauthorized parties cannot easily intercept or read the data, thereby maintaining confidentiality and integrity during transmission.

When users connect to the internet through a VPN, their IP addresses are masked, enhancing anonymity and further safeguarding personal information. This is particularly important when accessing public networks, where data is vulnerable to eavesdropping and attacks.

Other technologies like firewalls, antivirus software, and cloud storage serve different purposes in the realm of cybersecurity. Firewalls mainly act as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, regulating incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove malicious software from devices, focusing on maintaining the health of the local system rather than securing data in transit. Cloud storage is primarily a method for storing data online, and while it can be secured with various measures, it does not inherently provide encryption for data being transferred over networks. Thus, when it comes to protecting data specifically while it is being transmitted, a VPN is the most appropriate and effective solution