Which drawback attaches to a virtual private network?
- It cannot be used by employees who travel
- It requires a leased line for every remote user
- It exposes all traffic in unencrypted form
- Its performance depends on factors outside the firm
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: D. Its performance depends on factors outside the firm
1. A virtual private network saves on telecommunications costs and on networking equipment.
2. On the downside, its availability and performance, especially over the internet, depend on factors largely outside the control of the organization.
3. Travelling salespeople and telecommuters are among its main beneficiaries, so the first option is false.
4. It exists precisely to avoid leasing expensive private lines.
5. Data are encrypted once tunnelled, which defeats an interceptor.
6. The genuine weakness is therefore dependence on a public network the firm does not run.
_Source: OpenStax Introduction to Business (CC BY 4.0), Ch 13 "Using Technology to Manage Information", section 13.2 Private Lines: Virtual Private Networks_