There are many ways for cybercriminals to attack your system and steal sensitive data. There are even times when these crooks find ways to track you and watch your activities without you even knowing. You cannot just sit idly by as cybercriminals steal precious information from your network. You can explore your security options for your system and implement them to help protect your data by observing the network security basics.
One of the most popular security tools is a VPN. Learning more about how it works can help you see why many people choose this option.
What Is a VPN?
VPN or Virtual Private Network allows you to securely connect with a network since it is an encrypted connection between two machines. It can help you bypass geo-restricted content, hide your personal IP address from malicious hackers, and encrypt online activities.
VPN adds a layer of protection on top of your regular security monitoring tools. This encrypted connection especially plays an important role in establishing a safe space for businesses or organizations that operates remotely.
A VPN can ensure that home-based employees can safely connect to their company network. Conventional network security tools need some help in this kind of setting.
VPN: How Does It Work?
VPN requires a VPN client and a VPN server to offer the network a secure connection. You need to install a VPN on your device, then connect to another computer or server.
The connection is encrypted before it is sent to the server. Then, your device will use the server’s information to explore the internet instead of your original network information.
This process secures your own device’s information which protects you from malicious activities.
Reasons to Use VPN for Your Network
Here are some of the reasons why it is a good idea to use VPN as part of your network security efforts:
It allows you or your employees to access geo-specific content.
Since a VPN uses the server’s information instead of the original network data, it allows its users to bypass geo-locked content. Some websites have a geolocation feature to identify the location of the user which allows them to restrict site access to people from certain countries. A VPN can help you or your employees to bypass location-specific content.
It ensures safe remote office connections.
Remote work culture is spreading steadily nowadays, which makes it necessary for both businesses and remote workers to strengthen their network security measures.
If you are a remote worker or a business owner, you can understand that valuable consumer information and other sensitive information are at risk when employees are accessing them outside of the office. VPN encrypts these sensitive files and information.
It is a cost-effective network security basics measure.
Network security solution companies produce new tools almost constantly– each one better than the last. However, with quality and complexity comes a great price.
VPN is a simple, but effective means to protect your network. VPN may not scan viruses or block hackers– but it helps avoid the need for those features by protecting your online activities.
Disadvantages of Using a VPN
Although VPN has many advantages, like most tools, it also has some disadvantages. The pros may be greater than the cons, but understanding both aspects can help you make better decisions when choosing the right VPN for your network.
Most VPNs can only allow limited sharing.
VPN is an affordable way to keep an individual or a small business safe from cybercriminals, but it is costly if you intend to set it up in a big workplace.
Most VPNs operate on a subscription-based setup and most of them only allow 5-8 devices per subscription. If the business has more than 30-50 staff, then the price will add up to a costly sum.
Transferring data can slow down connection speed.
Since a VPN establishes a virtual connection, it can slow down connection speed.
It is not a good option for game streaming companies.
If you are running or working in a game streaming agency or company– then VPN may not be the best option for your network security.
As mentioned above, VPN can slow down connection which in turn can negatively affect game performance. On top of that, most games do not allow VPN to start with, so it can get your players banned.
Conclusion
Virtual Private Network or VPN takes a few easy steps to install and execute. And with these few steps, you can ensure that your system is safe from cybercriminals.
However, keep in mind that you should not install a VPN without the opinion of a network security expert. It is also not advisable for you to use free VPN services from the internet as they may do more harm than good to your system.
You can also invest in reliable network security solutions that offer a layered defense approach with multi-stage signature-less technologies on top of a VPN. Protecting your company data should always be one of your priorities at all times.