When you are researching about various VPN services that are available on the market today, you will be able to see the difference that they have. These VPN services are offering different features that you can take advantage to improve your online security and privacy. Some of these services will also offer additional security tools that help to improve the overall privacy and security of your devices. One of the common security tools included in a VPN package is the firewall.
What is a firewall? Firewall is a common security tool that you can use to protect your devices against hackers, especially direct hacker attacks. So, with this firewall on, you will ensure that no hackers or unwanted programs can infiltrate your system and perform any activity that can harm your devices. In a VPN connection, the existence of a firewall is even more important. Here are things that you need to know about the function of firewall in your VPN connection:
1. It Filters Your Network Traffic
The main function of a firewall is to filter your network traffic so that you can keep your network traffic clean without any threats. When connecting to the internet, you actually have incoming and outgoing traffic in your network system. Aside from sending the traffic out to reach the internet, your system will also receive traffic from the internet. This is how you can send and receive data over the internet.
In the VPN connection, the firewall acts as the filter for your network traffic, preventing any instances when you receive incoming traffic from dubious or dangerous sources. This incoming traffic might bring to you malicious or dangerous data into your system, and the firewall acts as an active security protocol to block such potential threats.
2. It Prevents Any Malicious Traffic From Entering Your System
The malicious traffic that enters your network can be really dangerous for your system as it can cause various problems or damages for your system. For instance, it can send malicious software into your system and install viruses or other malware to damage the system structure on your devices. If you are visiting dangerous websites that are full of malicious coding, you might be the victim of various cyber crimes if you are not careful about your online security.
The firewall can help you to prevent any malicious traffic from entering your system, thus keeping your system clean from any possible viruses or other malware. This will enhance your online security and privacy protection more.
3. It Allows You To Access The Internet While Being Fully Protected
While the regular VPN connection is good enough to keep your online activity secure and protected all the time, it will significantly improve when you turn your firewall on. When your firewall is on, you will be able to access the internet without having to worry about any unexpected attacks from malicious third parties. While you are doing your regular online activity such as banking, shopping, and browsing, you will stay private and protected.
The firewall will act as a double protection for your online security, ensuring that your traffic is always clean while browsing the internet. So, aside from keeping your identity hidden and anonymous, you can also keep your network traffic clean from any possible threats for your online privacy.
4. Protect Your System From Network-based Attacks
Since you are connected to the internet, anybody can technically reach your network system and target you for a cyber attack. In fact, there are cases where hackers can attack any servers around the world no matter where their locations are. So, actually, if you are connected to the net, then you can be the target of such similar attacks. This is why VPN is needed to mask your identity online so that hackers and other malicious third parties can’t track your real IP address or location.
With the firewall, though, you can have a stronger protection against network-based attacks since its main function is to filter your network traffic constantly. So, there is no room for hackers to launch an attack to your network and penetrate your system if you have your firewall on all the time.
5. Prevent Hackers From Infiltrating Your Network
Hackers can infiltrate your network system and do everything that they want once they have access to your system. This is why there are lots of companies that have suffered billions of loses due to hackers infiltrating their network. This is because such hackers can steal your data, delete your important files, mess up with your databases, and so on. The firewall, coupled with VPN, can create multiple layers of protection for your network system so that hackers will have a hard time infiltrating your system, thus keeping you safe from their cyber attacks.
Those are the things that you need to know about the function of firewall in your VPN connection. It is important for you to pick the VPN that includes additional security tools such as firewall and antivirus to keep your system fully protected. So, your aim shouldn’t be just for the online privacy, but for the overall safety and security of your system as well.