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Technology is playing a vital role in our day-to-day life activities which promote innovation in the field of globalization and IT landscape. Technology has improved how we operated few years ago and now but along with this it has brought other determinants such as cyber threats, digital fraud, phishing, pharming etc. Protection of enterprise networks has become of paramount importance, where VPN and firewall technologies play a key role.
Today we look more in detail about comparison between VPN and firewall technologies, i.e. VPN vs Firewall, understanding their purpose, capabilities, and key differences.
What is VPN?
VPN (Virtual Private network) modifies your network address with your computer address via remote server by providing a shield to the actual address getting exposed. VPN creates a safe and encrypted connection on a less secure network such as home or public Internet. It uses tunnelling protocol to create or establish a secure connection. VPNs are used widely and provide several online activities such as unlimited streaming, Anonymous Torrenting, Preventing ISP throttling, and secure Wi-Fi networks. VPNs are private networks which encrypt traffic and then route it through public networks such as Internet.
What is a Firewall?
Firewall is a network security appliance ((hardware or software), which monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic based on a predefined set of security rules. Traffic can be accepted, rejected, or dropped based on analysis as per set rules. Firewall is the perimeter defense mechanism to secure internal networks and outside untrusted networks e.g. Internet.
Nowadays NGFW (Next generation firewalls) have capability to stop modern day security breaches such as malware attacks, application layer attacks. NGFWs contain deep packet inspection, Application inspection, SSL/SSH inspection and many other functionalities for network protection. Firewalls are network security systems which controls traffic based on some predetermined rule set.
Similarities between VPN and Firewall
- VPN and firewall both secure network from intruders
- VPN and firewall both help to access Internet in secure manner
- VPN and firewall both provide a private and secure channel for Internet traffic
- VPN and firewall both encrypt data and route it through different networks
Comparison: VPN vs Firewall
| Function | VPN | Firewall |
| Functionality | VPN keeps your location unknown to others by creation of a proxy network for secure connection | Firewall prevent cyber-attacks with a protective boundary |
| Purpose | VPN permits access to restricted sites using a secure connection. This is achieved via data encryption and concealing an IP address | Firewall creates layers of restriction that you have access to. Firewall regulates and keep tab on network traffic based on set of policies which are used to examine incoming and outgoing traffic and take appropriate action accept, reject, or drop as required |
| Features | VPN establishes a private connection over a public channel such as Internet | Firewall blocks website which are deemed unsecured |
| Working | VPNs do not rely on a central server to keep connection secure. Data is encrypted and send over a secure channel so that third parties will have difficulties to access it | Firewall rely on a central server , appliance or virtual appliance which examine traffic based on set of security policies |
| Implementation scenarios | Large organization with several sites and complicated network. Providing only restricted access to the company network and monitor who is using the network. | Provide safeguard against malicious software entering corporate network , perimeter security and first line of defense for company network |
| Connection | VPNs are used to create secure connection between two networks | Firewalls are used to protect network from external threats |
| Features | ➡️VPN slows down speed of internet connection ➡️VPN does not encrypt traffic ➡️Potential for security breaches as data is routed through third party server | ➡️Firewalls cannot secure encrypted traffic ➡️Complex to configure and manage ➡️Slow down networks as they inspect all traffic pass through them ➡️Needs to be updated regularly |
Download the comparison table: vpn vs firewall
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