What is a VPN, aka. Virtual Private Network? If you look at online advertisements, you might think that a VPN is the solution to all your online security and privacy concerns. Yet, while a VPN is a powerful tool, especially for businesses, there are a few things you should know. 

What is a VPN? 

An online service like a website can use your IP (Internet Protocol) address to identify you. Your internet service provider (which assigns your IP) also has a record of that connection. Furthermore, if someone can spy on your connection, they can access the information you send and receive. If that information isn't encrypted, they can see what you are doing. 

A VPN creates a secure connection (tunnel) between your device and the internet by encrypting your data and masking your IP address. It essentially masks your traffic from third parties. 

Is this masking necessary? Not always, since there are already measures in place to mask some sensitive information online. For example, many banking apps encrypt information such as your login and password. 

When is a VPN good for privacy and security? 

However, there are scenarios where you want extra privacy and security. People who use public Wi-Fi networks often, such as at coffee shops and airports, should consider using a VPN. For example, when you use public Wi-Fi networks, you have no guarantee that someone isn't watching that network's traffic. If criminals have breached that network, they can see what anyone connected to the network is doing. However, if you have a VPN on your device, they cannot read any of the encrypted traffic. 

Journalists and political activists also use VPNs to hide their activities from spies, especially in autocratic regimes and dangerous situations. 

Back to a business context, some companies use specialised VPNs to control access to their business applications. For example, if someone remotely logs into a company's finance software, they need to use an assigned VPN, or the company's security systems will block them. This is a common requirement for remote workers. 

Lastly, though not a business example, people use VPNs to access content on streaming services that are blocked in their region. That works because the streaming service looks at the VPN's IP to determine its origin. If the VPN shows a British or American IP, the service thinks you are from that country. 

In summary, a VPN is good if you want to mask your online activities from prying eyes or if you want to give selective remote access. 

When is a VPN bad for security? 

A VPN is not antivirus software or a firewall. It won't filter and stop things like malware or phishing emails. Worse, if a device is infected with malware, it doesn't matter if it uses a VPN because the malware can see the unencrypted information on the device. 

Not all VPNs are the same, and there are ways to get around their protections. For example, the VPN that lets you watch streaming shows from another region is not useful if you need to make a secure connection to your company's network. There are also other ways to identify a device online other than your IP address, so the VPNs used by activists and journalists need extra features to keep their users anonymous. 

Many VPN services create a secure link between your device and their servers, and outsiders thus see their server IPs and not your device. However, those servers can still record your online activities. If someone breaches that server or uses a court order, they can still access what you're doing. 

What kind of VPN should you use? 

A VPN only makes you anonymous under specific circumstances and does not stop other types of cyberattacks. Simply using a VPN bluntly for security won't necessarily make you safer. 

But there are good business reasons to look at VPNs: 

- If you use public networks often. 

- If you have remote workers who need to access important business systems. 

- If you travel often for business. 

- If you send sensitive data between business branches. 

A VPN can be a valuable tool for securing your personal and business data. Speak to the experts at Vodacom Business to find out more.