{"id":2181,"date":"2019-01-23T13:33:18","date_gmt":"2019-01-23T19:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headwaycapital.com\/blog\/?p=2181"},"modified":"2020-10-05T15:04:46","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T20:04:46","slug":"vpn-business-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headwaycapital.com\/blog\/vpn-business-need\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a VPN and Does Your Business Need One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many businesses rely on employees, managers and top-level executives to protect confidential information such as trade secrets, working capital<\/a> details, internal processes and future product releases, but what happens if this data is shared or leaked online without your permission? Furthermore, your ISP, or internet service provider, can legally sell your data to third parties. Companies, hackers, and anyone with a little tech know-how could be accessing your data as you read this post.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t already taken steps to achieve better online security<\/a>, your business may be vulnerable to hacking, information breaches and more. In today\u2019s plugged-in world, it\u2019s important to think about your data and who\u2019s accessing it. Thankfully, there are simple ways to remain secure online without completely cutting the cord. Read on to learn more about one of the most common tech security safeguards for small businesses available today.<\/p>\n

What Is a VPN?<\/h2>\n

A VPN, or a virtual private network, is software designed to shield your online activity by rerouting your connection through an encrypted server. By encrypting, or converting, the data and routing it through another server, your data can\u2019t be read without the appropriate encryption key, and it also won\u2019t point back to the original device that you\u2019ve used. The VPN server may be located in another country or region.<\/p>\n

What Does a VPN Do?<\/h2>\n

All computers, phones, tablets and electronics connected to the internet have a unique IP, or internet protocol. This IP number can identify all activity specific to that user that a user via that particular device. Typical VPN software will encrypt your data before it reaches your ISP and before the data reaches a VPN server. Your data is then routed through the VPN\u2019s server, so sites that you visit will see encrypted data, and also will see that the traffic comes from the VPN server, and not your home computer, phone or connected device using VPN. This extra level of protection hides the source of the data, and also what the data actually is to begin with.<\/p>\n

What are the Downsides of Using a VPN?<\/h2>\n

Because your traffic is sent through the VPN server, which might be very far away from you, your connection can slow when using VPN software. Furthermore, there are many companies that offer VPN software, including free services. National Public Radio<\/a> warns against choosing a VPN without vetting it first, as companies may not deliver on their promises. According to a survey of almost 300 free VPNs around the world, nearly 20 percent of these services hadn\u2019t encrypted user data.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Does Your Business Need to Use a VPN?<\/h2>\n

While you might still think, \u201cI\u2019m not doing anything wrong, so I have no reason to hide,\u201d there are probably some things that you wouldn\u2019t want the wrong people to access. From bank statements to customer demographics, most business owners need some type of online security. If you use a paper shredder to protect yourself from prying eyes, you\u2019d likely also want to shield business and personal information online. Consider using a VPN if you access or transmit sensitive data (business- or customer-related), communicate with vendors, and so forth via the web.<\/p>\n

The Takeaway<\/h2>\n

Even if your small business isn\u2019t specifically targeted in a cyber attack<\/a>, you still may be prone to information leaks and breaches if you don\u2019t protect yourself. If you do decide to use a VPN, look for a company you can trust, that doesn\u2019t sell its own user\u2019s data. In other words, you wouldn\u2019t want the person who sold you a home security system to give your front door key to a total stranger. Using a VPN can seem daunting, but in the end, it\u2019s simply a matter of privacy and protection.<\/p>\n

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References<\/p>\n

1<\/sup>Silverman, L. (August 17, 2017). Turning to VPNs for online privacy? You might be putting your data at risk. Retrieved January 3, 2019, from https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/alltechconsidered\/2017\/08\/17\/543716811\/turning-to-vpns-for-online-privacy-you-might-be-putting-your-data-at-risk<\/a><\/p>\n

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The information in this article is provided for education and informational purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose. The information in this article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial or any other advice. The information in this article is general in nature and is not specific to you the user or anyone else.<\/em><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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