What is a virtual private cloud (VPC)?

A virtual private cloud (VPC) is indeed best described as a private environment hosted on public cloud infrastructure. This concept combines the benefits of both private and public clouds by allowing organizations to establish a secure and isolated environment within a larger public cloud service.

In a VPC, users can configure their own network settings, set up subnets, manage security protocols, and define access controls tailored to their organization's needs, all while leveraging the cost-effectiveness and scalability of public cloud resources. This provides a balance of privacy and flexibility, making it ideal for businesses that require a secure environment for sensitive data or applications but do not want to invest in maintaining their own physical data center.

Other options describe different concepts not aligned with the definition of a VPC. A public cloud offering free services implies a model where services are available to anyone without the same level of customization or control that a VPC provides. The option regarding hosting websites on the cloud does not capture the private aspect or the network isolation that defines a VPC. Lastly, suggesting a type of cloud computing without internet access is inaccurate, as VPCs inherently rely on internet connectivity to interface with the rest of the cloud infrastructure, albeit in a secure and controlled manner.