Gone are the days only large organizations were under threat of Cybercrime. According to reports, 43% of cyber-attacks now targets small businesses. While the large organizations are quick to implement new technology and security standards, the same can’t be said for smaller enterprises. Therefore, most end up being subjected to phishing, identity theft, ransomware, among others. Without proper security standards, a business can easily fall victim of cybercrime and malware, and that’s while you should always secure your data as well as communications. It will then make your data out of reach for malicious third-parties, and even the snooping eyes of the ISP and government.

4 best VPNs for your small business

1Perimeter 81

Shared gateways in 35 locations Unlimited data 30-day money back guarantee

Perimeter 81 is a cloud-based alternative to the regular corporate VPN, and it’s the best VPN solution to your growing business. The servers are fast and connections are stable, helping to ensure that data is always protected. One great thing about Perimeter 81 is that it has a cloud appls and web management console which can be used to monitor all network activity and team access. It’s easy to use, and in case of any trouble, you’ll have access to 24/7 priority customer support. Secure your Business with Perimeter 81

2ExpressVPN

3,000+ global servers Unlimited bandwidth Unlimited speeds

ExpressVPN is the leader in the VPN market and one of the best VPNs for small businesses. The VPN is known for its excellent personal VPN service, which can be easily adapted for small businesses. However, ExpressVPN offers up to only five simultaneous connections, and so to use it on more, you need to install it at router level. Thankfully, the VPN provides easy to install applets for various routers, and this makes it easy to enjoy 24/7 protection. When you make a subscription, you will be entitled to a 30-day money-back guarantee. Secure your Business with ExpressVPN

3Proton VPN

400+ global servers Unlimited bandwidth High speeds

Proton VPN was developed by CERN scientist as a project to keep their communications secure. From there, it has grown into one of the more well-known VPNs, and they have continued to focus their attention on securing communication for small businesses. Every Proton VPN license includes up to ten simultaneous connections, which is perfect for a small business that only needs to secure the connection for a small team of employees. The VPN uses 256-bit encryption and 2048 RSA, HMAC key exchange, to ensure that hackers or competitors can’t get their hands on your company’s private information. Secure your Business with Proton VPN

4CyberGhost VPN

3,600+ global servers Unlimited bandwidth 45-day money back guarantee

CyberGhost is a Romania-based VPN that has greatly improved over the last year to become one of the best VPNs for personal and both business use. The VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption and the industry-standard OpenVPN to secure all your data. With their network of servers in 60 countries, you’ll be able to connect remotely all over the world. CyberGhost also offers great privacy as the VPN doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever. Further, your security will be enhanced by CyberGhost’s pre-protection additions, like an ad, malware, and a tracking blocker, as well as DNS and IP leak protection. Secure your Business with CyberGhost

Two VPNs to avoid for your small business

Hola

Hola VPN refers to itself as collaborative (P2P) internet that works by “sharing the idle resources of its users for the benefit of all.” Instead of using the regular client to VPN server connection, Hola VPN tunnels your connection to other users in the network. Whenever you select a specific region using Hola, you are connected to another Hola user in the same region, instead of a VPN server. You should avoid Hola at all cost is that when you connect your business computers, because other users are able to connect to your computer, and even use your IP address to facilitate internet access. With such a connection, you expose your business to a lot of online threats from malicious individuals, and that’s something you don’t want to do.

Betternet

Betternet is a free VPN, but has recently added a Premium upgrade option. With the free version, you won’t be able to select a server, and you will be subjected to ads that may have you install an app or watch a video. Though the premium subscription can have you do away with these, it’s still not worth investing. First, you only get 11 servers in 10 countries, which makes it one of the smallest VPN networks. Additionally, there have been concerns that Betternet may not be secure as it seems, despite claiming zero logs & robust security. In 2017, reports from an academic study on VPN apps found Betternet to be one among the VPNs that either inject malware/adware on your device, or they don’t provide the security they advertise. Installing Betternet on your business computers is potentially a security risk, and so you should stay away from the VPN.

Why you need a VPN for your business

Cybercrime

Even large organizations like Facebook have had their security breached, and so there’s every reason to protect your business further. Protecting your devices, passwords, networks, systems, etc. from threats like viruses, malware, and hackers, is essential. VPNs go a long way into protecting your company network from any exposure to attacks. With the encryption levels provided by the above-listed VPNs, your data can’t be intercepted, as you will have created a solid layer of security.

Remote work

If your business involves working remotely or travel, you will need a VPN. Remote workers need to access the company’s intranet. Formerly, this was provided through hardware VPNs, but software VPNs now offer a better, flexible, and scalable way to accomplish this. A VPN can provide employees with a dedicated IP address, which will allow them to access your office network from any region. From there, they can deploy secure remote access, and you won’t have to spend money on expensive networking gear. It will also be useful if you are on a business trip and you want to access content that may be geo-restricted.

VPNs are Affordable

Many small and medium businesses do not have the money to install complex security infrastructure to make their users and data safer. Investing in a VPN makes great sense since, with an account, you can easily secure your data and devices.

How does a VPN Protect Data?

To provide security, a VPN encrypts all the traffic from your device using data encryption protocols, of which OpenVPN is the industry standard. After encryption, the data is tunnelled to a VPN server, facilitating internet access. Upon connection, the server will spoof your online profile and provide an alternative IP address. If you have chosen your VPN provider well, nobody will be able to identify you, and your connection will be anonymous.

What’s to look for in a Business VPN

Why you shouldn’t use a free VPN for business

Free VPNs provide you with a chance to enjoy the benefits associated with VPNs without having to pay anything out of your pockets. VPNs are expensive to run, and nobody runs one for charity. The providers have to make money either way, and you surely don’t want that money to be at the expense of your business. Here are a few reasons why you should avoid free VPNs.

Many keep data logs Some sell data Weak security standards Susceptible to DNS and IP leaks Small server networks Bottlenecked Speeds Limited bandwidth Unreliable connections Little or no customer support

Final Word

Keeping data safe, particularly for small to medium businesses, is a key factor for the growth and success of a business in today’s world.