VPN Firewall

What is a VPN Firewall?

A VPN firewall is a hardware appliance or software package that provides both firewall and virtual private network (VPN) capabilities. VPN firewalls enhance security by regulating network traffic flow, encrypting data transmissions, and preventing unauthorized access to the VPN tunnel.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What is a VPN Firewall?
2. Key Takeaways
3. History of VPN Firewalls
4. How VPN Firewall Works in Cybersecurity
5. Hardware VPN Firewalls vs. Software VPN Firewalls
6. Practical Applications of VPN Firewalls for Personal Use
7. Benefits of VPN Firewall
8. 6  Best Practices for VPN Firewall Implementation
9. The Bottom Line
10. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What is a VPN Firewall?
2. Key Takeaways
3. History of VPN Firewalls
Show Full Guide
4. How VPN Firewall Works in Cybersecurity
5. Hardware VPN Firewalls vs. Software VPN Firewalls
6. Practical Applications of VPN Firewalls for Personal Use
7. Benefits of VPN Firewall
8. 6  Best Practices for VPN Firewall Implementation
9. The Bottom Line
10. FAQs

History of VPN Firewalls

In the early days of network security, firewalls and VPNs were marketed and sold as separate but complementary products.

In the early days of the Internet, firewalls and VPNs were two different products. By the mid-2000s, however, emerging security threats, the rise of remote work, and the need for simplified management encouraged vendors to consolidate security functions in the same product. The term VPN firewall was used to convey the idea that bundling VPNs and firewalls together simplified security management.

Today, network devices and software suites are often designed with a “security first” mentality.   As a result, firewall and VPN capabilities have become default or opt-in features for Wi-Fi router software, next-gen firewalls, and antivirus suites.

How VPN Firewall Works in Cybersecurity

VPN firewall features monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic and protect access to the VPN by enforcing security policies.

It’s worth noting that they do not manage data within the VPN tunnel itself. This data is encrypted to ensure confidentiality and prevent eavesdropping.

VPN Firewall Functions

Today, many networking and security solutions can act as VPN gateways that offer firewalls as an additional feature. When both firewall and VPN features are enabled, they can enforce security policies and filter traffic to ensure that only authorized users can access the VPN.

Hardware VPN Firewalls vs. Software VPN Firewalls

VPN firewall functionality can be implemented with physical hardware appliances or with software that runs on a computer, mobile device, or server.

The choice between hardware and software security solutions often depends on budget and the specific needs of the customer. Hardware-based VPN and firewall capabilities are often preferred by large organizations and enterprises that need dedicated, high-performance security solutions. In contrast, software-based options tend to be more budget-friendly and appeal to individuals, home network managers, and small businesses.

Practical Applications of VPN Firewalls for Personal Use

If you have a wireless router or supplemental antivirus software, you may be surprised to learn you already have a VPN firewall and do not know it. That’s because many consumer-grade routers and antivirus suites offer both firewall and VPN capabilities.

To determine if you have VPN firewall functions, consult your router’s user manual or log into your antivirus software’s management console and look in “Settings” for sections labeled firewall, VPN Access, or Remote Access.

If your router or antivirus app has a built-in firewall but does not offer VPN capabilities, you will need to acquire a separate VPN service to mask your IP address to access geo-restricted content.

Benefits of VPN Firewall

A firewall with VPN capabilities empowers individuals and businesses to take control of their network security and online privacy. Instead of buying separate hardware or software for a firewall and VPN server, VPN firewall features consolidate these functions and allow them to be managed from a single user interface (UI).

Essentially, the dual functionality provides comprehensive network security against external threats while simultaneously encrypting Internet traffic and masking the user’s IP address.

6  Best Practices for VPN Firewall Implementation

If you enable both firewall and VPN functionality at the same time, it’s important to make sure your processor has enough power to handle both regular network traffic and traffic moving through the VPN without impacting performance.

If the processor is underpowered, it can slow down data transmission, lead to performance bottlenecks, and negatively impact the user experience (UX).

Here are six best practices for implementing firewall and VPN functionality concurrently:

• When selecting a product or service that provides both firewall and VPN capabilities, don’t forget to consider the way other bundled security features like web filters will impact performance.
• Check settings, and if given the option, be sure to select strong encryption algorithms to ensure that VPN connections remain secure.
• Carefully configure firewall rules to allow legitimate traffic and block unauthorized access even if credentials are compromised.
• In business settings, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), or other authentication methods to verify the identity of VPN users and prevent unauthorized network access.
• Consider integrating the firewall with existing user directories, if applicable, to centralized management.
• Implement backups on a regular basis and have a recovery strategy that will help prevent data loss and ensure continuity in the event network services are disrupted because of an outage, equipment failure, or cyberattack.

The Bottom Line

The label “VPN firewall” is rarely used in marketing materials today, even though the term’s definition accurately reflects the integration of firewall and VPN technologies in a single solution.

The choice of terminology in marketing is driven by the need to effectively communicate the value and functionality of a product in a way that resonates with the target audience’s specific needs and is easy to understand. Unfortunately, the label “VPN firewall” can be misleading because it implies there might be a distinct type of firewall dedicated solely to VPN traffic.

To avoid confusion, vendors began classifying VPN connections and firewall functionality as “features.” The change in wording allowed marketers to target different customer segments with different needs.

FAQs