“What the heck is a VPN and why do I need one anyway?” It’s a common question and here are the three misunderstandings, or myths users often run into and we want to clear the air.
Myth #1: You need to be techy to set one up
Only the IT department or tech geeks know how to set up a VPN, right? Not at all! There are VPN products that can be downloaded with easy installation and setup. But, be warned re: myth #2 …
Myth #2: You can get one for free
The VPN market may look endless with all of the options. It’s littered with free choices, so obviously you can get one for free, right? Wrong! If a business offers you a service for free, you become the product. They use you to make money. A free VPN makes money by injecting ads into your browsing (after scrutinizing your online traffic), or turning around and selling your data to a third-party. Find a VPN provider with excellent 24/7 support and frequent security patches.
Myth #3: VPNs are only used by hackers and cybercriminals
You’ve seen the stock photos online of cyber hackers, sitting in their dark hoodies, scrolling through 1s and 0s on the screen as they hack through cyberspace. Yes, criminals and hackers do use VPNs to mask their identities, but they’re hardly the only users. Here are people who can really benefit from a VPN:
- Business travelers who access public WiFi from airports and hotels
- Small businesses securing their network as they grow
- Users at the gym, using their WiFi while running or lifting weights
- Global users looking to establish their virtual presence in countries like Sweden and Hong Kong
- Everyone, because we believe that all people should have unfiltered access to the internet. Stopping or prohibiting that access is a human rights violation. In an ideal world, everyone will be able to access information on the web. This will strengthen our society, and provide people with equal opportunities.
Myth #4: VPNs are secure
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. While this technology provides a level of privacy, cyber security experts understand that VPNs are NOT secure. VPN clients, encryption, as well as endpoints (servers), are exploited every day.
If your organization needs secure communication to your office or another secure environment, you need to be looking for a solution based on Zero Trust Network Access. The US Federal Government has successfully used ZTNA solutions for more than 20 years. For more information about what criteria is needed to be a true ZTNA solution, check out the Special Publication from NIST on 8/10/20 | Zero Trust Architecture | NIST | or reach out to Tony to have a discussion about your specific use case.
Now that you know these myths about VPN, help share the realities with friends and coworkers. Spread the word about privacy and security.