Utilizing a VPN or a digital non-public community could appear sophisticated at first, but it surely’s software program that’s surprisingly straightforward to arrange and use. Whether or not you’re a part of a small enterprise or a bigger group, integrating a VPN is an effective way to safe essential firm data.
On this article, we’ll present a rundown of the right way to arrange a VPN, the right way to use it and how one can maximize options in your group.
1. Select a VPN
Whereas all VPNs encrypt the connection between a tool and a community, every service brings its personal taste and particular options. For instance, ExpressVPN provides a clear and simple to grasp interface, whereas CyberGhost VPN prioritizes having an in depth server community that’s unfold throughout 100 areas.
It’s essential to know why you want a VPN. Would you like higher safety and privateness? Do you want it to unblock content material? What number of units do you want protected by means of the VPN? The solutions to those questions will inform what VPN will likely be greatest in your wants.
Researching a VPN’s status and monitor file in defending person knowledge must also be a part of the decision-making course of. VPNs are anticipated to safe knowledge from malicious actors, not promote or file them for their very own profit. A great indicator of that is if a VPN has a no-logs coverage that’s been confirmed by way of a third-party audit. A no-logs coverage states {that a} VPN doesn’t file any delicate person knowledge, akin to searching historical past or IP addresses. Whereas many declare to be no-logs, having an unbiased audit confirm that is key.
In the event you want a headstart on selecting a VPN, you possibly can try our picks of the 4 Greatest VPNs for Small Companies.
For the sake of this information, let’s use ExpressVPN for example.
ExpressVPN is among the prime VPN suppliers accessible and is well-regarded for its reliability and ease of use.
2. Buy a VPN
After deciding on a VPN, it’s time to enroll and pay for a subscription. Most VPNs provide a number of subscription choices at month-to-month, annual, or two-year phrases. The longer the period, the decrease the month-to-month value you pay.
Typically talking, I like to recommend going for an annual subscription, because it provides you an excellent stability between decrease charges and an inexpensive period for the contract.
I additionally encourage making essentially the most out of VPN suppliers’ money-back ensures. Many distributors enable 30 or extra days after the preliminary join clients to check out the software program and ask for a refund inside the allotted time if the VPN isn’t the precise match.
Within the case of ExpressVPN, you possibly can select between a one-month plan at $12.95 per 30 days, a one-year plan at $6.67 per 30 days, or a two-year plan at $4.99 per 30 days.
There are free VPN choices accessible, however these normally come at the price of decrease safety, slower speeds, and a scarcity of different options.
3. Arrange VPN
When you pay for the VPN, the following step is to obtain and set up the VPN utility. In the event you’re downloading the VPN in your Home windows or Mac, ensure you’re getting it from the VPN’s official web site.
After clicking obtain, the VPN’s installer file will seem in your downloads folder.
Clicking on the installer file will take you to the VPN’s setup course of. Simply comply with the introduced directions till the VPN is put in onto your system.
4. Use the VPN
Happily, fashionable VPNs are comparatively straightforward to make use of. As soon as put in, VPNs normally have a one-click join/disconnect button and an inventory of servers you possibly can hook up with.
By default, VPNs will hook up with the quickest server in your space. This usually means connecting to a server location that’s nearest to the place you’re. You’ll be able to, in fact, decide a selected server location relying in your wants and preferences.
With ExpressVPN, there’s a giant energy button within the center that controls your connection, and the server menu is conveniently positioned under it.
When you’ve chosen a server, you possibly can click on join, and there you could have it — you’re now utilizing a safe VPN connection.
Some individuals could be questioning if it’s essential manually hook up with a server every time and the reply is not any. Typically, most VPNs might be configured to launch at startup and mechanically hook up with a most well-liked server of your alternative.
It’s essential to notice that exiting a VPN desktop window normally doesn’t shut this system utterly. VPNs are software program that run within the background, so that you’ll have to shut the VPN utility both by means of Home windows’ process supervisor or manually quitting the app on a Mac.
In the event you discover that the VPN isn’t functioning the best way it’s imagined to, an excellent rule of thumb is to disconnect from the server and restart the applying. If that doesn’t work, VPNs present buyer help both on their website or within the app itself.
High quality VPN suppliers provide 24/7 reside chat help to help you when one thing goes mistaken. If that’s not accessible, you possibly can ship an electronic mail utilizing the VPN’s help web page or ticket system.
Greatest methods to make use of a VPN for your corporation
VPNs have a wide range of use-cases. They can be utilized to entry streaming companies, to torrent recordsdata securely or to have a greater gaming expertise. They will also be used to enhance a companies’ day-to-day operations. Listed here are just a few methods they will accomplish that:
Defend firm and consumer assets
As a result of VPNs encrypt the connection between the community and a related machine, all knowledge transmitted between them is protected. Which means each firm and consumer assets will likely be secured towards unhealthy actors.
VPNs are an effective way to guard confidential paperwork, inside communications, and different belongings from cyberattacks and hacking. To be taught extra about how VPNs work, you possibly can try our information right here.
Safe entry to distant staff
One other benefit VPNs provide is securing distant staff’ entry to a company community. Since distant staff usually do business from home, they generally tend to hook up with firm assets by way of an unprotected connection.
VPN encryption ensures that delicate knowledge accessed by distant staff are made illegible and untraceable, even when they fall into the mistaken arms.
Achieve geographical flexibility
VPNs provide the potential to pick an alternate IP deal with and placement totally different from your individual. This enables you quick access to geo-blocked content material all around the world.
This may be helpful for workers that often journey and have to view region-locked content material like information articles, streaming companies, and native web sites. This flexibility additionally advantages distant staff that will have a tough time accessing assets exterior of the place they work.
How to make sure you’re maximizing your VPN
Integrating a VPN is a giant step towards growing safety, however there are some things you are able to do to get essentially the most out of the service.
- Checking accessible VPN apps in your cellphone permits staff to safe work-related data on their private telephones. As extra organizations depend on cell units for communication and different work, putting in a VPN service’s iOS or Android app ensures that the heightened safety is maintained throughout all units.
- Using VPN browser extensions allows you to use a VPN proper from the browser. Some VPN extensions may even be a standalone with out the desktop utility put in, making it simpler to do secured work on a distinct pc.
- Trying into staff subscriptions is an effective way to chop prices when you’re a enterprise on the lookout for a VPN. On prime of the VPN itself, staff subscriptions usually embrace decrease charges, centralized billing and an administrative console for managers.
SEE: IT Chief’s Information to Cybersecurity Consciousness Coaching (TechRepublic Premium)
Advisable easy-to-use VPNs
VPN encryption can get technical, however three companies that stand out for his or her ease of use are ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and TunnelBear VPN.
ExpressVPN comes with a person interface (UI) that appears fashionable and is straightforward to grasp. Its browser extension additionally acts as a handy distant management for the desktop app, giving you quick access to Specific proper from the browser.
You’ll be able to learn our full evaluation of ExpressVPN.
CyberGhost VPN neatly organizes its servers into servers greatest for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Provided that it reportedly has 10,000+ servers in 100 nations on provide, the classes assist in distinguishing which server is greatest for various customers.
You’ll be able to try our full evaluation of CyberGhost VPN.
TunnelBear presents essentially the most beginner-friendly and least intimidating person interface. With its bear-themed desktop utility, every server is represented by a tunnel, and while you swap to a brand new server, the TunnelBear bear pops up as soon as the connection is established.
You’ll be able to try our full evaluation of TunnelBear VPN.
This text was initially printed in November 2023 and was up to date by Luis Millares in March 2025.
