Virtual device
Updated: 12/31/2022 by Computer Hope
![virtual peripheral](/jargon/v/virtual-device.jpg)
Alternatively called a virtual peripheral, a virtual device mimics a physical hardware device by tricking the computer into thinking something exists when it really doesn't. For example, fax software can act as a virtual printer. When print is selected, the document is sent to a fax/modem, which sends information to another fax/modem or fax machine.
Another example of a virtual device is an interactive device projected on a surface in the real world or a virtual world. For example, a virtual keyboard projected on a surface that reads your fingers as you press each key.