- A
DHCP
Why wrong: DHCP assigns IP addresses but does not provide any security or encryption for remote connections.
- B
DNS
Why wrong: DNS resolves names to IPs and is not used for secure remote access.
- C
VPN
VPN establishes an encrypted connection over the internet, enabling secure remote access to the corporate network.
- D
Port forwarding
Why wrong: Port forwarding exposes internal services but does not provide encryption or authentication for remote users.
Question 227 of 1,020
VPN: Encrypted Remote Access for Employees
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network services. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company wants to allow employees to securely access the corporate network from home using their laptops. Which network service should be deployed to provide encrypted remote access?
Quick Answer
The answer is VPN, or Virtual Private Network, because it creates an encrypted tunnel between a remote employee’s laptop and the corporate network, securing all data transmitted over the internet. This encryption ensures that sensitive company information remains protected from interception, which is the core requirement for any secure remote access solution. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of network services and their security functions—a common trap is confusing VPN with DHCP or DNS, which handle IP assignment and name resolution but provide no encryption, or with port forwarding, which exposes internal services without securing the connection. The exam often presents a scenario where employees need to work from home, and the correct answer is always VPN when encryption is specified. A helpful memory tip: think of a VPN as a “secure tunnel” through the public internet—if the question mentions “encrypted remote access,” your first and only choice is VPN.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
VPN
C is correct because a Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between the employee's laptop and the corporate network, typically using protocols such as IPsec or TLS. This ensures that all data transmitted over the public internet is confidential and integrity-protected, meeting the requirement for secure remote access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DHCP
Why it's wrong here
DHCP assigns IP addresses but does not provide any security or encryption for remote connections.
- ✗
DNS
- ✓
VPN
Why this is correct
VPN establishes an encrypted connection over the internet, enabling secure remote access to the corporate network.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Port forwarding
Why it's wrong here
Port forwarding exposes internal services but does not provide encryption or authentication for remote users.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that port forwarding alone provides secure remote access, but candidates must remember that port forwarding lacks encryption and authentication, making it insecure for remote connectivity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPNs operate by encapsulating packets within a secure protocol; for example, IPsec VPNs use ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) to encrypt and authenticate each packet, while SSL/TLS VPNs (often using OpenVPN or IKEv2) establish a secure session at the transport layer. A common subtlety is that split tunneling can be configured to route only corporate traffic through the VPN, while internet-bound traffic goes directly, which balances security and bandwidth usage in real-world deployments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Services — This question tests Network Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VPN — C is correct because a Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between the employee's laptop and the corporate network, typically using protocols such as IPsec or TLS. This ensures that all data transmitted over the public internet is confidential and integrity-protected, meeting the requirement for secure remote access.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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