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Individuals normally utilize virtual private networks (VPNs) to conceal their browsing activity. However, a small-sized business requires anonymity and cybersecurity more than individuals today. An organization remains vulnerable to cybercriminals, and they can’t risk hackers snooping on their networks. Thus, VPNs create private networks for them to protect them from cyber-marauders. With increased privacy, you’ll encounter fewer hurdles from hackers while conducting business with your customers. But how to select the perfect VPN for your company? A small-sized business shouldn’t forget the following objectives while setting up a virtual private network. These factors will help you greatly enhance the benefits of VPNs:
Eight factors to remember when you’re setting up a VPN
Why should organizations even set up VPNs? Besides cost-effective cybersecurity, this technology allows you to access geo-locked content. You can save money on region-based e-commerce while avoiding ISP tracking. These private networks are affordable for small-sized business organizations. You may set VPNs up easily, and its maintenance expenditures aren’t expensive either! However, many factors to consider when setting up a virtual private network for your business. What are these factors a small-sized business must remember? We’ve described some of these things here for you in-depth. So, here are some ideas for your company to think about when putting together a virtual private network:
1. Use third-party research:
We suggest you rely upon third-party research to compare the VPN services companies offer today. This research can help you check the best deals for VPNs, free trials, and their latest offers. It allows you to ensure which services offer multiple devices, guarantee your money back, and support platforms such as Linux or Android. Then you can decide which VPN service aligns with your business requirements. For example, you can search online for the best VPNs in 2022 to study professional suggestions.
2. Numbers do matter:
How many devices does this service support? How many locations does it offer around the globe? It’s important to consider the “number factor” before purchasing any VPN service. For instance, you can see that TunnelBear doesn’t support multiple devices. However, NordVPN offers six devices. But the former is available for free while the latter costs £2.86! So, privacy comes with a price, it seems.
3. Your devices’ speed:
Virtual private networks have certain drawbacks; they can slow down your devices. For example, you must select only those VPN services that don’t slow down your workstations. So how do VPNs do that? Today, VPN services offer “smart connections” that automatically switches to servers that give you the fastest connectivity possible. So, sign up for free trials first and check the speed before buying the service.
4. Check the features:
Which features are being offered? You cannot disregard these features as they impact choosing a VPN service. Today, we have services that have a no-logs policy. So, they don’t record a consumer’s browsing activity at all. Moreover, DNS leak protection prevents your internet provider from learning about your search history. Instead, choose a trusted VPN to avoid your information getting leaked to hackers in any way. These features make your cybersecurity measures powerful and reliable.
5. Learn about protocols:
You shouldn’t neglect to learn about VPN protocols. Vendors provide various protocols, so business owners must also compare them while evaluating the best option for their organizations. So, you should remember that these protocols handle the transfer of information between your device and the VPN server. They influence the speed of your connection and how your data is encrypted. It can help to know about different categories of VPN protocols to decide which VPN service seems fine:
- SSTP works fine on Windows devices
- PPTP was developed for dial-up connections
- OpenVPN is famous for being open-source and its flexibility
- WireGuard offers both speedy connections and powerful security
6. Prepare your machines:
You should install your software programs on machines after cleaning them thoroughly. And remove any previous VPN services from workstations. That’ll prevent the newly-bought VPN service from competing with any previous installations for bandwidth. Also, disconnect unused devices from your computers. You have now safely prepared your machines from accepting the VPN service.
7. Customize your connection:
Remember to customize your connection for fine-tuning the settings of this VPN service as per your business demands. It’s smarter to ascertain that your employee’s connection becomes encrypted as soon as they’ve logged in to the workstation. That’s how your workforce will stay constantly secure whenever they’re online. It lets confidential information remain within your company’s confines.
8. Troubleshoot the software:
Now, it’s time to test the private network for a test run and ascertain its functionality. You can test this software on some primary devices to ensure it doesn’t conflict with existing software applications. Then you can issue a general rollout of the VPN service on all workstations. That’s how you can successfully make sure that your company’s online activity’s safe from cybercriminals.
Conclusion
The pandemic encouraged more companies to utilize VPNs. Statistics show that 68% of companies have started using VPNs or increased their reliance upon this technology since COVID. However, there are some factors you should consider before switching to virtual private networks. So, we suggest business organizations prepare machines for VPNs and choose the right protocol. Don’t forget to customize your connection and check the features different VPN services offer. We believe that you should rely upon third-party research to compare VPN deals. Only then can you discover the best VPN service for your company. So, you’re ready to make your connections private, anonymous, and safe from infiltrating cybercriminals.
