What is an extranet?

An extranet is best defined as a private network that utilizes Internet technologies to share part of an organization's information or operations with external partners, such as suppliers, vendors, or customers. The core characteristic of an extranet is that it extends a company's intranet, allowing limited external access to selected parties while maintaining restrictions to protect sensitive internal data. This setup facilitates collaboration and information sharing between organizations while ensuring that only authorized users have access.

In the context of the other choices, the first option describes an intranet rather than an extranet, as it focuses on internal employee access only. The third option describes a public website, which is accessible to everyone and not limited to partners or specific users, differentiating it from the selective access of an extranet. Lastly, the fourth option refers to a social platform that serves a different purpose—fostering communication and interactions among customers rather than providing a secure way to share private business information with external partners. Thus, the definition of an extranet aligns perfectly with the understanding of a private network designed for selected external users, confirming it as the correct choice.