Ever felt like you are being watched or your internet activities are getting tracked? Well, there may be some truth in that. The internet is no longer a safe space for any organization or individual. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, 36% and 24% of cyber attacks victims recently lost their money and identity respectively.
As such, every individual and organization has a role to play in ensuring the safety of their information. Here, we will look at VPN and how it can secure your data virtually. Also, we’ll cover the best VPN practices in 2023.
What’s a VPN?
VPN or virtual private network establishes a safe connection between your device and the internet. With the help of this solution, you can enjoy anonymity and extra privacy. That means you can:
- Keep your internet location and activities private and avoid getting tracked. And that’s especially when you are connecting to public wireless networks.
- Browse anonymously and keep all your virtual activities safe
- Browse the internet without facing geographical constraints
When it comes to using a VPN, you don’t need technical expertise. Anyone can use it. Rest assured, we’ve reviewed tens of VPN solutions, and most of them are user-friendly. Speaking of which, you should check out Surfshark. It’s packed with exclusive features and has an easy-to-use interface.
How Does a VPN protect your privacy?
A VPN establishes a secure connection between two or more devices. It creates an encrypted “tunnel” between your computer and a remote server, allowing you to securely access the internet while concealing your IP address and other private information. A VPN also enables you to access websites and services that may be blocked in your region, as well as providing extra security while browsing the web.
Why do you need VPN?
Do you like getting watched, tracked, or hacked? Well, no one does, even when you don’t have anything to hide. That’s why stepping up your privacy strategy is important. In this case, let’s look at why you need a VPN:
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Save money
Did you know that e-commerce platforms showcase the prices of products based on the location of the consumer? And the same applies when you are using other services like booking accommodation and flights. The VPN in this case will help you obtain the best deal regardless of where you are based.
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Better internet speed and connection
There are times when your internet connection may slow down. And that’s because the ISP has detected that you are approaching the data limit. Oftentimes, ISP uses this technique to prompt you into upgrading your data package. A VPN will hide you from it enabling you to enjoy better internet speed and connections.
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Safety and privacy online
When you are accessing vital or sensitive information like bank details on a public network, you’re bound to get hacked. A VPN solution in this case has advanced encryption that keeps your data safe regardless of the network you are using.
The Best VPN Practices in 2023
With more adoption of cloud-based services and remote work, you need more than antiviruses and firewalls to keep your data safe. That’s because these two are no longer sophisticated enough to fend off cyber-attacks. A VPN in this case could help you enhance your level of security and privacy. It creates a safer channel between the corporate network and users.
These channel gets encrypted to prevent interception through cyberattacks. This is especially essential for organizations that handle vital data. Such data include personal information, trade secrets, and financial information. That being said, here are the best VPN practices in 2023:
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Use a trustworthy provider
The most important part of getting a VPN is choosing the right provider. You need a provider with a reliable and proven security track record. You can shortlist several providers and review each based on industry reputation, features, and customer reviews. Additionally, it’s essential to check the experts’ comparisons of well-known and most popular providers such as NordVPN and Surfshark.
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Educate your staff about the best VPN practices
What’s the point of introducing a VPN solution in your business or organization when your staff doesn’t know anything about it? That being said, education is a vital part of VPN employment in your organization.
By training your staff on the best VPN practices, they can help ensure it’s working optimally. You should consider training them on how to use it from setting up to launching it. Also, you can educate them on how to detect and avoid security threats.
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Update your VPN software regularly
It’s vital to update your VPN software regularly. This ensures they are getting the latest security features that are strong enough to prevent cyberattacks. It also ensures that your VPN solution remains reliable.
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Log and track your VPN traffic
It’s important to log and track your VPN traffic, and this should be a habit for all organizations using this network. By doing so, you can identify and probe suspicious activities. Also, you must safely keep all your logs and review them regularly for safety purposes.
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Encrypting VPN traffic
You need to encrypt your VPN traffic. By doing so, you’ll be protecting it from eavesdropping or interception. That being said, you’ll need a powerful encryption protocol for this like the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). But that’s not all, you can make it more potent by deploying PFS (perfect forward secrecy). It will ensure your earlier VPN sessions remain private or uncompromised.
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Deploy powerful access controls and authentications
You need a powerful authentication system in your organization or business. This should protect your network against getting accessed by unauthorized users. In this case, two-factor authentication will come in handy. Further, you’ll need access controls to regulate user access to sensitive data or resources.
Final Take
Finally, VPN is a resourceful solution that you can use individually or as an organization to protect your data virtually. According to Pew Research Center, cyberattacks are here to stay. As such, how you protect your data against breaches matters. With platforms like Surfshark, you can keep all your digital activities safe from eavesdroppers and cyberattacks.