Since people have been using the internet, there has been a need to protect internet browser data. VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides an extra layer of privacy when people access websites, and lays out secure connections for transferring sensitive corporate information.
While popular for individual use, VPNs offer businesses the ability to manage multiple user accounts, block certain types of content, and minimize corporate data theft.
What is a VPN?
VPN is a type of network security tool that protects users’ internet connection and privacy online. It creates an encrypted connection over the internet from a device to the network. VPNs mask the internet protocol (IP) address so online actions remain virtually private and untraceable.
The encrypted connection essentially creates a tunnel between a local network and an exit node in another location. VPN encrypts messages throughout its whole journey between two endpoints.
It stays encrypted while travelling through the tunnel and cannot be accessed by the internet service provider or any third party. If someone intercepts the data, it would be ‘rubbish’ data because they can’t decipher the information.
What do VPNs hide?
1. Devices
Devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones can be prime targets for cybercriminals when users access the internet, especially if they connect to public Wi-Fi connections. A VPN can protect the data on user devices, preventing hackers from performing MiTM (Man-in-the-Middle) attacks.
2. IP Address and Location
An IP address identifies any device on the internet or local network. Anyone possessing an IP address can identify where a user is located and what they have been searching for.
A VPN replaces the actual IP address to make it look like a user has connected to the internet from a different location: the physical location of the VPN server, masking the actual location.
3. Browsing History
Internet service providers (ISPs) and web browsers can track everything a user does on the internet. A VPN will hide an IP address and prevent ISPs from monitoring all online activity. This provides a private, secure browsing experience on the internet.
Business Benefits of VPN
Desktop computers have given way to laptops, tablets, and smartphones. There is more flexibility with work-from-home options and BYOD policies, which have resulted in the need for more digital security.
1. Secured Connection to Shared Resources
Many companies rely on employees around the world, depending on technology for collaboration. Cloud storage, file sharing services, and work applications contain sensitive corporate data such as customer, employee, and business information. The use of an IP whitelisting VPN can protect the connection to such resources to protect data.
VPN can protect the connection to such resources to protect data. If an organization has service site clients that need to connect to internal resources, VPN ensures that the connection is accessible by the client only.
2. Cost Saving without Jeopardizing Security
With VPN, companies do not need to depend on expensive physical network connections between headquarters and other locations. In addition to saving costs and resources, VPNs also avoid the extra workload on the company’s IT administration team.
For large companies with thousands of employees (and devices), installing a VPN app on each device is simply not practical. IT teams can use their mobile device management solution (MDM) to configure VPN settings on devices.
Create a VPN connection, choose how the VPN authenticates, and select the server type using the MDM solution. With Scalefusion MDM, companies can also choose a third-party VPN provider.
3. Securing Data on Mobile Devices
Remote workers who answer emails and access files on the company’s server using a COPE device on public Wi-Fi are vulnerable to data breaches. Bad actors can target the Wi-Fi connection to steal data.
It is crucial to protect data on both corporate-owned laptops and mobile phones. Installing a remote VPN client on smartphones will allow employees to connect to the email app and securely access the company server.
Wrapping Up
Slow speeds have traditionally been a weakness for VPN services across the world, but advancements in VPN technology have helped overcome many obstacles, including slow internet speeds.
It may be tempting for businesses to avoid paying for VPNs. But the cost of failed security could be significantly higher. So, don’t compromise on VPNs. There are a lot of cost-effective VPN services that offer subscription-based services and don’t require a big IT budget.
