Which of the following is NOT a feature of a VPN?

• A. Data encryption
• B. IP address masking
• C. Public file sharing
• D. Enhanced network security

Answer: (C)

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is designed to create a secure and private connection over a less secure network, such as the Internet. Its primary features include data encryption, which protects the privacy of data transmitted across the network; IP address masking, which conceals the user's actual IP address and helps maintain anonymity online; and enhanced network security, which safeguards users against various online threats.

Public file sharing, however, is not a feature of a VPN. While a VPN can offer a secure tunnel for individual users, public file sharing typically refers to the act of making files accessible to others over the Internet, often without security measures in place. This can expose users to risks rather than providing them with the security and privacy that a VPN is meant to deliver. Thus, it is the characteristic that does not align with the primary functions of a VPN.