Are Free VPNs Safe? Beware: Not All VPNs Are Created Equal

More people than ever are now working from home. With that change has come a greater need for secure remote access to business data. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to add a significant layer of security to remote work. However, the adage, “The best things in life are free,” doesn’t apply when selecting the right VPN for your small or midsized business. Although cost control is essential, nothing is more important than safely securing all of your hard-earned business data. When selecting a company VPN, use caution. In addition to being wary of VPNs that are offered free for free, here are other red flags to watch for when selecting a VPN for business:

• Weak Encryption – The best VPNs have the best data encryption. AES-256, also known as “military-grade encryption,” is the industry standard for encryption. Strong data encryption is one of the most important features of a VPN. Weak encryption will still leave you open to potential data breaches.
• Slow Download and Upload Speeds – Long waits for downloads and uploads can be very frustrating. A quality VPN should not slow you down. You will need to test yours by using it for various online activities to ensure that your VPN is a business tool and not a business hindrance. Employees may be tempted to bypass a slow VPN.
• No Money-Back Guarantee – A good VPN should offer a money-back guarantee so you can test the service and see if it’s right for your business. A “free trial” is not the same as a free service. Many of the best VPNs offer free trials that, after the trial period, are charged at a monthly rate. Free trials are an excellent way for you to test the service before having to pay for it.
• No Verified Zero-Logs Policy – A zero-logs policy guarantees that none of your data or usage information is stored by your service provider. A verified zero-logs policy is when the provider hires an impartial third-party to test their zero-log claims.

How To Choose a VPN

The following are important questions to ask when selecting the right VPN for your small or midsized business:

• What Protocols Does it Support? – There are several protocols to choose from, and a good VPN service provider will support many of them and will help you decide what is best for your business’s needs. The industry-standard protocol is OpenVPN. https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/OpenVPN Your service provider or IT specialist will be able to explain all of your options.
• How Many Concurrent Connections Are Permitted? – To use multiple devices simultaneously, you will probably need to have at least two concurrent connections. The more devices your company is using to access the network at the same time, the more connections you will need.
• How Many Servers Does the VPN Provider Use and Where Are They Located? – A good VPN service provider will use many servers located in several countries around the world.
• Does the Provider Limit Bandwidth or Restrict Services? – Limiting bandwidth will slow down your workflow. And aside from providing secure remote-access connections, one of the top features of a VPN is allowing the user to get around restricted websites, filters and firewalls. Beware of VPNs with these limitations.
• Does the VPN Service Provider Have a “Kill Switch?” – When a VPN connection fails, the provider must have a kill switch. A kill switch automatically locks down the user connection to ensure that the system doesn’t revert to an unsecure connection in a VPN failure event.

Since the pandemic, businesses have increasingly relied upon secure, remote-access, network connections, and the FBI (https://www.fbi.gov) has reported a dramatic increase in related cyberattacks. Many companies are required by law to protect the personal and financial data they collect from clients. For medical and legal practices, safe and secure data is crucial to their reputations. Data breaches can put companies out of business and expose them to legal challenges.

A VPN is a crucial security layer for your business, but choosing the right VPN for your company can be daunting. A professional cyber security expert can help you make the right choice. DIGIGUARD Cyber Security specializes in cyber threat protection, including VPN solutions for small and midsized companies. DIGIGUARD can provide your small business its own secure and affordable virtual private network platform, so your company’s data will be safe in an expanding mobile work environment.

Get a DIGIGUARD Vulnerability Assessment

As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cyber threat protection and has a wide array of solutions for small and midsized businesses to defend against network data breaches. They are cyber security experts who can ensure your confidential business and banking data has the best protection possible.

In addition to establishing your own virtual private network, DIGIGUARD can provide solutions that offer early detection of potential cyber threats before they happen. DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber vulnerability and work with you to ensure you have the best network and data protection solutions for your business.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss VPNs and other ways to protect your hard-earned business data.