- A
SSL/TLS
Why wrong: SSL/TLS is used for securing web traffic (HTTPS), not for creating a full VPN tunnel to an internal network.
- B
IPsec
IPsec is a standard protocol suite for secure IP communications by encrypting and authenticating each IP packet in a VPN tunnel.
- C
L2TP
Why wrong: L2TP is a tunneling protocol but does not provide encryption by itself; it is often combined with IPsec for security.
- D
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is unencrypted and not suitable for secure remote access; it is used for web browsing.
Question 743 of 1,020
Which VPN Protocol Encrypts Remote Access Traffic?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. 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 network administrator is configuring a new firewall to allow remote employees to securely access internal resources. The requirement is to encrypt all traffic between the remote client and the internal network. Which protocol should be used?
Quick Answer
The answer is IPsec, as it is the correct VPN protocol for encrypting remote access traffic between a client and an internal network. IPsec operates at the network layer, providing both encryption and authentication for all data packets traversing the connection, which ensures end-to-end security for remote users. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish VPN protocols by their specific purposes—a common trap is confusing IPsec with SSL/TLS, which only encrypts web-based traffic, or with L2TP, which requires IPsec to add encryption. A helpful memory tip: think of IPsec as the “IP security” suite that wraps the entire packet, making it the go-to choice for full-tunnel remote access encryption.
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
✓
IPsec
IPsec is the correct choice because it provides end-to-end encryption at the network layer (Layer 3), securing all IP traffic between a remote client and an internal network. It operates in tunnel mode to encapsulate the entire original IP packet, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for remote access VPNs. SSL/TLS operates at the transport layer and is typically used for securing individual application sessions (e.g., HTTPS), not for encrypting all traffic from a remote client to an entire internal network.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that SSL/TLS is sufficient for full network-layer encryption, when in fact it only secures individual application sessions, whereas IPsec is the standard for encrypting all traffic between a remote client and an internal network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IPsec uses two main protocols: Authentication Header (AH) for integrity and Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) for encryption and integrity. In tunnel mode, the entire original IP packet is encapsulated within a new IP packet with a new IP header, allowing the remote client's private IP address to be hidden and all traffic (including non-IP protocols) to be encrypted. A common real-world scenario is a remote employee using an IPsec VPN client (e.g., Cisco AnyConnect in IPsec mode) to access corporate resources behind a firewall, where the firewall terminates the IPsec tunnel and decrypts traffic for the internal network.
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 Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: IPsec — IPsec is the correct choice because it provides end-to-end encryption at the network layer (Layer 3), securing all IP traffic between a remote client and an internal network. It operates in tunnel mode to encapsulate the entire original IP packet, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for remote access VPNs. SSL/TLS operates at the transport layer and is typically used for securing individual application sessions (e.g., HTTPS), not for encrypting all traffic from a remote client to an entire internal network.
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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