In an ideal world, we would not need firewalls. With the increasing risk of cyber security threats and breaches, however, firewalls are often needed to block whatever gets past a VPN and to protect any threat that tries to attack the VPN server both from outside and within your organization.
A VPN is a crucial part of any IT security system. Many people try to promote either a firewall, anti-virus or VPN solution over the other, but the truth is that they work best when they are used in unison. To understand why, here is a brief explanation:
Firewall vs. VPN
Firewall:
A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and it keeps your computer safe by blocking access to unsecured websites. It will also prohibit an unsecured program on your computer to connect to the web. A firewall can be installed as software or hardware.
You don’t have to worry about not being able to visit the websites that you need, as you can add sites to your own ‘whitelist’. The firewall ensures that your computers are not compromised by restricting the access of data packets if they are not authorized to pass through your network. It prevents malicious files and cyber security threats online from compromising your computer.
VPN:
A VPN is something completely different, and it is an equally important part of your network and computer security. A VPN allows you to connect to the internet through a private network that is safe from hackers. The connection is considered ‘virtual’ because it uses a combination of software controls and tunneling instead of using hardware such as dedicated lines. Once connected to a VPN, your traffic is filtered and encrypted, keeping your online activity completely private.
Active Computer Technologies can help you increase your IT security with a VPN, anti-virus software, firewalls, and much more. Contact us for more information today.
