"a(n) allows companies to exchange information and conduct transactions by purposely providing outsiders with direct, password-protected, web browser-based access to authorized parts of a company's information system."

Extranet

Explanation:

Extranet, is the type or the kind of a network which is a private network and it uses the Internet technology and the system of public telecommunication, so that could secure the part of the business or an organization operations or the information with the suppliers, partners and vendors.

So, the extranet is the technology which allows the firm or organization to exchange the operations or information in order to perform the transactions purposely through providing the password.

the answer is i don't know

answer; (a) searching for information can be done quickly;