Internet access might also serve as a distraction to employees who don’t require it. Once a single computer on a LAN becomes infected, the infection can travel quickly throughout the entire LAN. Hackers might find a way around firewalls, and users on the LAN might unknowingly download files that contain viruses, Trojans, spybots, keyloggers or other malicious programs. These larger networks are variations on the LAN, though still localized.įax machines can be shared among all users on the same LAN.Įxposing a LAN to the Internet does create security risks. A Campus Area Network (CAN) is a LAN that has been extended to cover campus grounds, commonly providing local resources along with access to the Internet. Municipalities that provide free, wireless public access to the Internet do so through a LAN, technically known as a Municipal Area Network (MAN). LANS consist of two or more computers connected together. It's easy to see how using a LAN for this purpose could lead to the incorrect assumption that a LAN and the Internet are the same thing. This is handy for households that have two or more computers but only want to share an Internet account and nothing more. Somewhat paradoxically, there are situations in which a LAN is setup for the sole purpose of providing Internet access. Local area networks are often used in offices. The firewall only allows data to flow through that has specifically been requested from computers on the LAN.
A firewall is typically present in the gateway to act as a one-way valve, keeping unwanted public traffic from accessing the LAN. A central modem is either connected or integrated into the router, providing a gateway between the LAN and the Internet.
Internet access is an option that can be incorporated into a LAN, if desired.
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