VPNs are called Virtual Private Networks because they secure data moving outside of your network as if it were still within that network. The firewall protects data moving within your network from being corrupted or intercepted by entities outside of your network, but once data moves outside of your network – when you send data to someone via e-mail or communicate with an individual over the Internet – the firewall will no longer protect that data. At this point, your data becomes open to hackers using a variety of methods to steal not only the data you are transmitting but also your network login and security data.

The Virtual Private Network (VPN) capability creates encrypted "tunnels" through the Internet, allowing remote office or traveling users to securely connect into your office network from off-site. Users connecting through a VPN tunnel are attached to your company's network – with secure access to files, e-mail, and your intranet – just as if they were in the building. You can also use the VPN capability to allow users on your small office network to securely connect out to a corporate network.