CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2026 - Free Network+ Practice Questions and Exam Prep Guide

A firewall plays a critical role in securing and managing the data traffic that flows in and out of a network, particularly when it comes to the interactions with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Choosing the correct answer highlights that a firewall can both encrypt traffic and establish VPN connections between different sites.

In the context of a VPN, a firewall can be configured to facilitate the creation of secure tunnels through which data is transmitted securely across the internet. This involves not only the encryption of the data being transmitted, ensuring that it remains confidential, but also the establishment of VPN connections to allow different sites to communicate securely as if they were on the same local network.

While some functions associated with firewalls, such as filtering traffic based on IP addresses, are essential for overall network security, they do not encompass the full capabilities of integrating with VPN technology. Similarly, the ability to inspect encrypted traffic is more about monitoring and managing security rather than the foundational role of creating a VPN itself.

Overall, understanding how firewalls interact with VPNs emphasizes the importance of integrated security measures in safeguarding data communications across potentially insecure networks. This function of a firewall enables its dual capacity in both securing data and facilitating private communications between different network locations.