What is the difference between a VPN and remote control?

Mike Chapple reviews VPNs, remote controls, and how the two security technologies can be used in tandem.

Mike Chapple, University of Notre Dame

Virtual private networks (VPNs) use encryption to provide a means to securely connect to a remote network over the Internet. Effectively, they provide "virtual" access to the physical network as if you were physically located in the office. The use of encryption on the connection protects your communications from prying eyes as they travel over the Internet. Many organizations use VPNs to provide travelling and work-at-home employees with secure access to the enterprise network.

Remote access systems, such as Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection, Virtual Network Computing (VNC) and similar...

Step 2 of 2:

You forgot to provide an Email Address.

This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

This email address is already registered. Please login.

You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.
- I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.
- I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.
Please check the box if you want to proceed.

products, allow you to connect to a computer over the network and manipulate it with your mouse and keyboard as if you were sitting at the computer. When you connect to the remote system, you will be prompted to enter your username and password before gaining access.

Many enterprises use these two technologies in tandem for security reasons. Users who wish to make remote access connections to use computers on the corporate network must first connect to the VPN and then establish the remote access connection. This strategy prevents unknown Internet users from directly attempting unauthorized remote access connections, providing an added layer of security.

This was last published in June 2009

Remote access vs. site-to-site VPN: What's the difference?

SDP vs. VPN vs. zero-trust networks: What's the difference?

VPN (virtual private network)

What are the differences between VPN and VDI services?

Please create a username to comment.

How enterprise cloud VPN protects complex IT environments

CASB, CSPM, CWPP emerge as future of cloud security

Prevent cloud account hijacking with 3 key strategies

Juniper's 128 acquisition needed to improve SD-WAN

The basics of zero-trust network access explained

Enterprise 5G: Guide to planning, architecture and benefits

Is your company's IT governance strategy cloud ready?

Government action on big tech monopoly power moving quickly

Quantum computing challenges and opportunities

A complete guide to troubleshooting Windows Hello

Comparing Jamf vs. Fleetsmith for macOS management

Mac users key in defending against Apple T2 chip flaw

Compare Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs. Terraform on GCP

Explore the tools for disaster recovery on AWS, Azure and GCP

Cloud performance testing is necessary for app migration

Project Endeavour gets in gear to begin first public autonomous vehicle trials

Saudi Arabian authorities work with Chinese IT giants on digital goals

SonicWall patches 11 firewall vulnerabilities

Dig Deeper on Network Access Control technologies

Remote access vs. site-to-site VPN: What's the difference?

SDP vs. VPN vs. zero-trust networks: What's the difference?

VPN (virtual private network)

What are the differences between VPN and VDI services?

Related Q&A from Mike Chapple

Start the conversation

0 comments

Register

Login

Forgot your password?

Your password has been sent to:

Please create a username to comment.