Using a VPN alone won't fully protect you online. Understanding the difference between a VPN and a firewall, and why using them together provides better security, will help keep you safe.
What is the difference between VPN and firewall?
VPNs and firewalls both increase security, but they do so in different ways. A VPN encrypts your Internet connection, hides your IP address, and protects your online activity from prying eyes like your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Think of it as an extra layer of security, especially when using public Wi-Fi .
In contrast, a firewall acts as a gatekeeper that controls traffic coming and going on your network, deciding what gets in and what gets out. While a VPN protects data in transit, a firewall actively monitors and blocks potentially harmful traffic, protecting your device from malware, phishing attacks , and other threats that a VPN alone can’t address.
Why isn't a VPN alone enough for complete security?
Think a VPN alone can make you invisible? Think again. While VPNs provide valuable protection by encrypting your data, they don’t provide complete anonymity or protection against every threat. Websites can still track you through cookies , browser fingerprinting , and other methods, even if your IP is hidden. And if your VPN provider logs any of your activity, that data could still be at risk if accessed.
VPNs also cannot protect against malware or phishing attacks, among the most common cybersecurity threats. While a VPN can secure data on a public network, it cannot identify or block malicious links and downloads.
The firewall aspect can protect you, but the VPN doesn't.
Have you ever wondered how a firewall keeps you safe online? While a VPN is all about privacy, a firewall plays a more active role; it constantly looks for any suspicious data trying to get through. By blocking unauthorized access, a firewall can stop malware, phishing attempts, and other cyber threats before they enter your system.
Norton 360, for example, includes both a VPN and a smart firewall. The VPN encrypts your Internet connection, keeping your data private, while Norton's smart firewall actively monitors and blocks any unwanted or suspicious traffic. Together, they create a stronger shield, protecting your online activity from prying eyes and protecting against potential cyber threats. For most users, this combination provides a convenient and effective way to enhance your privacy and security.
Why do you need both a VPN and a firewall?
The truth is, for the best security, use both a VPN and a firewall. A VPN hides your online activity and protects your data as it travels, while a firewall actively filters what goes in and out of your network. Together, they cover more ground, giving you a stronger shield against a wider range of threats.
Switching to VPNs has completely changed the online privacy of many people, but there are a few things you need to know before you start using them.
To really understand whether a VPN is right for you, there’s no better way than to try it out. Install a few clients, connect to the best servers, test your favorite sites, and see how they perform.
VPNs have a number of advantages, such as protecting your online identity and allowing you to access content in other countries. You may even experience faster connection speeds.
Mock locations and VPNs are often used interchangeably when discussing online privacy and security, but they are not the same.
Not all VPNs are created equal, and that's especially true for free services.
When you turn on a VPN, your internet connection is encrypted, making it harder for snoopers—like your ISP (Internet Service Provider)—to monitor what you're doing. But what exactly does your ISP see after you turn on a VPN?
Back in 2023, Microsoft launched a new feature for Microsoft Defender users called Privacy Protection.
Discover how to use a VPN with Caesars Sportsbook to access your favorite sports betting platform while traveling outside the U.S.
Discover top Chrome extensions that change your IP address and enhance your privacy. Explore options like ExpressVPN and GeoProxy for safer browsing.
A good VPN will improve every aspect of gaming. For example, by using a VPN to mask your location, you can play geo-restricted games.
Using a VPN to buy cheaper items may seem like a good idea, but many companies are getting smarter and realizing how many people are already doing it.
There are free VPNs available that don't sell data to third parties and reliably protect user privacy.
In an era where online privacy and data protection have become paramount concerns for individuals and organizations alike, the need for effective tools to safeguard personal information is more critical than ever. The IP Anonymizer Database emerges as a vital resource for those seeking to navigate the complexities of digital anonymity.
They are advantages and disadvantages with the advent of technology being used in almost every angle of day-to-day lives. Technology has brought in a lot of ease in our operations at home, our offices, and businesses as well.
To get the fastest promotional information from Circle K, you should install the CK Club application. The application saves your payments when shopping or paying at Circle K as well as the number of stamps collected.
Instagram has just announced that it will allow users to post Reels videos up to 3 minutes long, double the previous 90-second limit.
This article will guide you how to view CPU information, check CPU speed directly on your Chromebook.
If you don't want to sell or give away your old tablet, you can use it in 5 ways: as a high-quality photo frame, music player, e-book & magazine reader, housework assistant, and as a secondary screen.
You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.
This article will list color-inspired tips, shared by top designers from the Creative Market community, so you can get the perfect color combination every time.
Can you really replace your laptop with your phone? Yes, but you'll need the right accessories to turn your phone into a laptop.
One important thing in the full event video was that the upcoming ChatGPT app feature was demoed but no real details were shared. That is, ChatGPT's ability to see everything that's happening on the user's device screen.
Many top AIs, despite being trained to be honest, learn to deceive through training and systematically induce users into false beliefs, a new study finds.
ChatGPT now has a question change option so users can edit the question or content they are exchanging with ChatGPT.
QR codes seem pretty harmless until you scan a bad one and get something nasty thrown at you. If you want to keep your phone and data safe, there are a few ways you can spot a fake QR code.
On stage at MWC 2025, Qualcomm made a splash when it introduced its eighth generation of 5G modem called the X85, which is expected to be used in flagship smartphones launching later this year.
You have a trendy “Ultramarine” iPhone 16, but one fine day you suddenly feel bored with that color; what will you do?
In January, Microsoft announced plans to bring NPU-optimized versions of the DeepSeek-R1 model directly to Copilot+ computers running on Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors.
The IF statement is a common logical function in Excel. The SWITCH statement is less well known, but you can use it instead of the IF statement in some situations.
