Since the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have started working from home, and cybercrimes have increased.
Organizations had to resume work to stay afloat and consequently gave their employees remote access to their systems. That resulted in the leakage of confidential data and multiple vulnerabilities in the security systems of businesses that were damaged for thousands of dollars.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) have proven to be an affordable and user-friendly solution for significant gaps in cybersecurity.
This is what you need to look for when choosing the best VPN for your individual needs and your company’s needs.
Why remote workers need a VPN
Travel bloggers and freelancers typically have no choice but to use notoriously unsafe public Wi-Fi. VPNs have been an invaluable source of web security, enabling them to protect their data on the go.
Businesses that adapted quickly to the new normal couldn’t rely on the safety of their tech teams looking out for vulnerabilities. Additionally, many employees may not have been aware of the dangers unprotected devices could cause to the company.
Accessing the system from the often unsafe domestic endpoints, such as private employees’ devices, created a vulnerability in the security systems.
Hackers can breach the chosen company’s sensitive data by breaching the unprotected systems of employees that weren’t protected in the first place.
Features to look for in a remote VPN
VPNs have many benefits and features that can take your cybersecurity up a notch. Moreover, there are several premium VPNs, but which is the best VPN for you will depend on the size and requirements of your company or individual needs.
These are four essential features of the best VPNs:
#1 Speed
For remote work requiring employees to connect to the company’s systems sometimes it can slow it down
Great upload and download speeds also save you much frustration by making the video meetings less interrupted by lag or buffering, making communication smooth and efficient.
# 2 Unblocking Geo-restricted Areas
It might be necessary for remote workers with international clients to unblock social networks that aren’t allowed in your country or specific tools not yet available in the employee’s country.
VPNs change your IP address and camouflage where the user is originally from. Most VPN providers have thousands of servers that will hide your location and activity. That enables you to bypass content generally restricted in your area safely.
#3 Cybersecurity
With remote work, there is always a possibility that hackers and hacktivists might target a company’s systems or breach an unprotected individual’s device for data such as passwords and incriminating activity.
They might perform a ransomware attack and demand a fee, i.e., threatening to release your sensitive company information or incriminating records.
VPNs create a private network hidden from the public – one hacker can use it to find you. In that way, the VPN increases the security of remote workers.
Most attacks are undertaken using the employee’s email, i.e., by sending phishing spam emails containing unsafe links. VPNs hide your activity and do not allow access to potentially unsafe links.
What’s more, VPNs can disable a hacker’s attempts to lead you to unsafe websites that contain malware to extract your data.
#4 Easy to Manage and Use
VPNs can do wonders for your security, but they’re not intimidating. Even remote workers who are not tech-savvy can download and use a VPN with ease and not worry about its maintenance.
There are different VPN providers, and they might have additional premium options for advanced users. However, there are user-friendly VPNs for primary protection from the most common threats.
Conclusion
VPNs are an invaluable tool for protecting against cybercrimes that have increased since remote work became more relevant than ever. Amid the pandemic, many businesses have learned that their employees’ systems also need protection.
Therefore, VPNs became a popular way to create anonymity of an employee’s activity, increase their productivity rate with rapid internet speed, and deter potential cyberattacks by detecting potentially malicious sites.
Many leading VPN services are on the market, but being familiar with their relevant features is essential for choosing the best VPN for remote work.
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About the Author
Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.
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