With data breaches and cyberattacks continuously on the rise, the internet is becoming more and more unsafe by the day. Hackers can easily access all sorts of information – basically, everything you put online. As a small business owner, you’re probably thinking: Who would want to hack me? Think again, because nothing is too small for hackers. Your valuable data isn’t safe on the web, which is why you should incorporate measures for cybersecurity in your business plan.
The question is how exactly can you keep sensitive information safe and secure? This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in. Let’s learn more about it in this blog post, and in the end, you’ll be in a better position to decide whether a VPN service is a right choice for your business.
What Is A Virtual Private Network?
Think of a VPN as a safe passageway that forms a secure, private connection between your network, other networks, and any devices within these networks. Before entering the passageway, data is encrypted, which means it’s safe from snooping eyes. With no VPN encryption, anyone can easily access your data because there’s no protection.
The Benefits for Your Business
Using a VPN has its pros and cons, and as a small business owner, it’s up to you to determine whether the service is suitable for you. Understanding the following benefits of a VPN will help you make a better decision:
1. Security
With a VPN, you become a very difficult target for hackers. That’s because any data going through the VPN is encrypted and secured. Even if someone does get their hands on sensitive data, it’ll be useless to them since they will not be able to understand it. Cybercriminals also can’t find the origin of the data because the VPN hides your actual IP address.
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2. Safe File Transfers
A VPN also lets you safely share files with employees. Usually, a VPN has settings that let you control who could access certain files. Employees will only get to see those files that they need to carry out their operations.
3. Remote Access
With remote jobs becoming more widespread now, employees can work from almost anywhere in the world. If you have remote employees, a VPN is a great way to let them securely access important data. Remote access can help enhance your business’s overall productivity.
4. Low Maintenance Costs
When you opt for a VPN service, there is an initial fee. From there on, there are barely any maintenance costs since the service provider does all the setup and monitoring tasks for you.
5. Access to More Content
Certain countries don’t grant access to their content unless you’re based in that country. A VPN helps you access essential content that might not be available to you because you are using an IP address that is blocked by the service provider.
A Few Downsides
Sure, a VPN poses a bunch of advantages for your small business. But what are the drawbacks?
1. You Can’t Trust All VPN Services
Unfortunately, you can’t just opt for any VPN service. Maybe a cheap payment plan is highly attractive at first, but it doesn’t mean the service provider is reliable and trustworthy. Find the best VPN service providers, don’t take the risk.
2. Others Can Track You
Even if you use a VPN, services like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and others can keep tabs on your online activities. They use “cookies” that store small bits of your data on their websites, and it stays there even after you’ve left the site.
3. Speed Issues
In the online world, good internet speed depends on a low “ping” or latency value. By using a VPN, latency increases, which means your data uploading or downloading speed will suffer.
