A VPN is a very popular tool today, especially among those looking to keep their online activities secure or anonymous. But in general, it can be a great tool to optimize your business process, i.e. a VPN allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the internet and using this you can build an effective remote team.
VPNs can also be used to access region-restricted websites, so can be quite handy for research purposes. Moreover, as a VPN helps you shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, it can be a peace of mind in several cases.
You may not need a VPN right in the beginning, but having one is crucial as you move to the next level, especially when you are planning to grow your business with remote teams.
Having a VPN is one thing, setting it up to ensure it meets your security needs, and works seamlessly with your devices is another. This article outlines 5 tips and ways in which you can maximize your VPN experience and make most out of it.
1. Set it up Alongside a Good Antivirus
Most people believe a VPN will protect them against all forms of malicious attacks and programs. This is only partly true. A VPN will only encrypt your connection and network traffic (reducing the risk of eavesdropping and snooping) but won’t notify you when you visit a potentially dangerous site/page.
Some of the best VPNs provide an advanced web filtering feature that adds an extra layer of security against phishing and malware. An antivirus program, on the other hand, actively monitors files and applications for malware and viruses, thus keeping your computer protected. The antivirus program doesn’t prevent data monitoring, nor does it encrypt your data.
Pairing your VPN with a reliable antivirus adds more layers of protection for your devices hence additional security.
2. Have the Kill
Switch Ready
Having a VPN in place is an important step in keeping your data safe. What however happens if the VPN server disconnects or goes down without your knowledge, while entering sensitive personal data? This is where a Kill Switch comes in handy. Some VPNs have a kill switch in place to block data transmission if or when the server disconnects or goes down. Without such a feature, the VPN would disconnect, leaving you exposed.
The key function of a VPN kill switch is to prevent data transmission until a connection is re-established. This therefore ensures maximum protection. Be sure to choose a VPN with the kill switch feature, and enable it while setting up the VPN.
3. Understand the Cons of Setting a VPN on Your Router
Setting up VPN programs on your router will most likely
make your connection more secure, so you may assume. Although the router might
have support for that particular VPN, most routers don’t have enough processing
power for seamless integration and functionality. That said, it’s advisable to
set the VPN on individual devices for better performance and security, and do
avoid bottlenecking your connection.
Be sure to choose an easy-to-use VPN service that supports
several devices. This way, each device will handle connections and provide the
processing power required to ensure maximum security and optimal performance.
4. Secure All Your
Smart Devices
Many people only focus on protecting their devices and data from malicious hackers, forgetting their ISPs and even governments collect data as well. Most ISPs track your online activities for targeted ads as well as throttle your connection on various services.
Protecting your device against eavesdropping and data collection by these agencies is mandatory too. Have every device secured by a VPN to prevent data monitoring by third parties that use it to their advantage.
5. Ensure your LTE Connection is Encrypted
Cellular networks are considerably more secure when compared to public WIFI. This however doesn’t mean your cellular connection cannot be exploited in the same way public Wi-Fi can. Malicious hackers can use ‘aLTEr attack’ to steal private data without your knowledge. The attacker will simply spoof your DNS server with a fake one and will wait to mine your data on requesting a high-value website.
Wrapping your cellular (LTE) connection with a VPN (an encrypted connection), however, prevents such from happening, which leaves your device safer and more secure. With a VPN, you can access sensitive data confidently without fear of a cyber-attack.
The Bottom Line
If worried about your data and online security, you should
then consider using a VPN. The VPN will provide an extra layer of protection
when surfing the web and especially when accessing sensitive data. Always be on the lookout for update releases
from your VPN provider for better performance and security.
