Virtual Private Networks VPNs for Business Use Protecting Sensitive Data on Public Wi Fi Networks

VPN Security: Are VPNs Safe and Secure?

VPNs are generally safe for transmitting data over the internet but arent 100% secure. A VPN doesnt constitute a complete cybersecurity strategy.

VPNs protect data in transit, preventing unauthorized access and data breaches. But VPNs can have vulnerabilities and dont address all security risks. While theyre a critical part of enterprise security, VPNs should be integrated into a layered defense strategy.

What Makes a VPN Secure?

A virtual private network (VPN) serves as a secure channel for transmitting data over the internet. A VPN works by establishing an encrypted tunnel between a user's device and a remote server. It then masks the user's IP address, which enhances privacy and protects data from interception.

VPN security depends on encryption and tunneling protocols. Encryption transforms readable data into encoded information that can only be deciphered with a correct key. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is widely adopted for its strength and efficiency in protecting data.

VPNs employ various tunneling protocols, such as Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), which establish and maintain secure network connections. These protocols are fundamental in preventing data leaks and safeguarding information as it traverses shared or public networks.

What Is a VPN?

Evaluating the Security of Corporate VPN Solutions

Corporate VPNs integrate robust security measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. This includes strong encryption, secure tunneling protocols, and advanced authentication methods. Such measures mitigate the risks of data interception and unauthorized access.

VPNs impact an enterprises security posture by extending its secure environment beyond physical offices. They create a controlled, encrypted network space that allows secure remote access and compliance with stringent data protection laws. VPNs also enable enterprises to monitor and manage network access, which is key for detecting and responding to security threats in a timely manner.

Understanding both the strengths and limitations of VPNs allows businesses to make informed decisions about network security strategies and choose solutions that balance performance with protection.

The Advantages of Using a VPN in Enterprises

The deployment of VPNs within businesses provides a shield against data breaches. By encrypting data in transit, VPNs prevent unauthorized entities from accessing sensitive information.

Secure remote access is another significant benefit, as VPNs allow employees to connect to the enterprise network from any location without compromising security.

VPNs are instrumental in ensuring businesses meet various compliance requirements by maintaining high data protection standards.

The Cons of Using a VPN in Enterprises

Despite their advantages, VPNs are not without potential drawbacks.

VPN protocols may have vulnerabilities that cyberattackers could exploit. VPN infrastructure management can be complex, requiring dedicated resources and expertise.

Additionally, VPNs can introduce latency and bandwidth challenges, particularly when the number of remote users is large. This can impact the speed and efficiency of network connections, leading to delays in data transmission.

Common Threats to VPN Security

VPNs can face various security threats that can compromise data integrity and confidentiality.

One prevalent threat is man-in-the-middle or meddler-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, where an unauthorized actor intercepts communications between a users device and the VPN server. In such instances, attackers can potentially capture and manipulate data.

Additionally, malware over VPNs poses a significant risk. Even with encrypted connections, if a device is compromised, malware can traverse through the VPN tunnel, leading to possible infiltration of the enterprise network.

Best Practices for VPN Safety and Security

Select a Reliable VPN Service

When choosing a VPN, consider a service that provides VPN encrypted communication with a proven track record of reliability and customer support. A good VPN should offer a comprehensive level of security, featuring advanced encryption to protect data effectively.

Use Strong Authentication Methods

To enhance VPN security, implementing strong authentication methods is critical. This means moving beyond basic password protection and employing multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA requires users to present two or more pieces of evidence, or factors, to gain access. This adds a layer of security by ensuring that only authorized VPN users gain access.

These factors can include something you know (like a password), something you have (like a mobile device), or something you are (like a fingerprint). Multifactor authentication is recommended for verifying user identities before they can connect to a VPN.

Ensure Encryption Standards Are Robust

Encryption is the cornerstone of VPN security, obscuring data to prevent unauthorized reading. Enterprises should use the most current and robust encryption standards, like the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys. This level of encryption is considered highly secure, making it a suitable choice for protecting sensitive enterprise data as it traverses the VPN tunnel.

Keep VPN Clients and Systems Updated

Regular updates to VPN clients and associated systems are vital for closing security gaps. Developers often release patches and updates to address vulnerabilities as they are discovered. By keeping VPN software up to date, enterprises can protect themselves against known exploits that cyberattackers might use to gain access to network traffic or bypass security measures.

Implement Secure Tunneling Protocols

Choosing secure tunneling protocols is essential for a safe VPN. Protocols like IPsec and OpenVPN provide strong security features that are necessary for protecting data in transit. It is important to select protocols that support high levels of encryption and can effectively prevent data leaks and exposure.

Conduct Regular Security Audits and Monitoring

Regular security audits and consistent monitoring help detect potential security incidents early. Audits can reveal vulnerabilities, ensure policy adherence, and validate that the VPN configuration meets security requirements. Continuous monitoring allows for the immediate detection of suspicious activities, enabling rapid response to threats.

Are VPNs Enough for Enterprise Security?

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are critical in todays enterprise cybersecurity landscape. They create secure connections over public networks, ensuring that data remains encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized parties. VPNs are crucial for safeguarding data in transit, particularly for remote workers accessing corporate resources from various locations.

However, the threat landscape is evolving, and reliance on VPNs alone is not sufficient. Cyberthreats have become more sophisticated, and attackers often target multiple layers of an organization's infrastructure. While VPNs protect data on the move, they do not inherently secure endpoints from malware or intercept advanced persistent threats within the network.

Beyond VPNs, additional measures such as secure web gateways (SWG), secure access service edge (SASE), and software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) have become integral to a comprehensive security posture.

SWGs, for instance, protect users from online threats by enforcing company policies and filtering unwanted software from user-initiated web traffic.

SD-WAN technology allows organizations to route traffic efficiently across wide area networks, while also providing enhanced security features. It simplifies the management and operation of a WAN by decoupling the networking hardware from its control mechanism. This improves performance and enhances security by allowing for centralized policy management. SD-WAN also integrates services directly into the network fabric.

SASE combines network security functions with WAN capabilities to support the dynamic, secure access needs of organizations. It converges network and security point solutions into a unified, global cloud-native service. SASE is tailored to address the security challenges of the modern enterprise. It provides secure network access from any location and on any device.

In scenarios where employees are accessing the network from various devices and locations, a VPN may serve as the first line of defense in online security. However, additional layers, like those provided by SASE, are required to manage access, protect user identities, control cloud usage, and secure web gateways.

As part of a broader cybersecurity strategy, its essential to position VPNs alongside these additional security measures. A comprehensive approach is key to protecting against the varied threats that enterprises face today. The goal is to create a security ecosystem that is adaptable, integrated, and complete. This ensures the privacy of data in transit and the overall security of the network and its resources.

VPN Security FAQs

What is a VPN and what does it do?

A VPN is a service that establishes a secure, encrypted connection for your internet traffic, keeping your online activity hidden and protecting your privacy. The best VPNs have a no-log policy, bank-grade encryption, and a variety of servers around the world to help you browse anonymously.

Ever check your bank account or type in your credit card number to buy something online or while running errands? If you've done this without connecting to a virtual private network (VPN), you could have exposed your private information and browsing habits to cybercriminals or other snoops lurking on the same network.

Keep reading to learn how to stay securely connected on the go and how different types of VPNs can help keep your online sessions safe.

What is the definition of a VPN?

VPN stands for virtual private networkits technology that encrypts your data when you use the internet, scrambling it so that strangers on the same network cant read it.A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet to protect data during transmission. This secure tunnel helps VPNs disguise your IP address, mask your online activity (including links you click and files you download), and hide your physical location to help you access your favorite content.

A VPN gets its name because it embodies the following characteristics:

• Virtual: Functions without physical cables and instead relies on digital pathways.
• Private: Enhances online privacy by shielding data and browsing activity from snoops.
• Networked: Establishes and maintains a connection between a device and a VPN server.

How do VPNs work?

VPNs encrypt the connection between your device and network, which helps strengthen online privacy and security. This is the process a VPN follows after you connect and begin your search:

1. You enter a search query, visit a website, etc.
2. The request passes through the VPN client on your device.
3. The VPN client establishes a secure tunnel to the server, encrypting the data in transit.
4. The VPN server forwards the request to the internet.
5. The internet processes the request.
6. The internet sends a result back to the VPN server through the secure tunnel.
7. The VPN server responds to your device through the VPN client.

What does a VPN do and what are the benefits of using one?

VPN encryption capabilities help you browse anonymously, access content more freely, protect in-transit data, stop websites from tracking you, and protect your private information. Here are some more details about these VPN benefits:

• Anonymous browsing: A no-log VPN can help hide your IP address from websites, cybercriminals, the government, and even your internet service provider (ISP).
• Access content freely: VPNs are useful resources for journalists and travelers. They can help you access content that may be otherwise unavailable in your location.
• Data protection: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it safer to access financial accounts, private data, and other sensitive information online without others eavesdropping.
• Less online tracking: Advertisers track much of your online activity using computer cookies. VPNs can help make it harder for them to track and monitor your activity by obscuring your IP address.
• Protection on public Wi-Fi: Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks are notorious places for hackers to steal information; a VPN can help stop this by hiding your internet session activity so cybercriminals cant see what youre doing.

Who needs a VPN service and why?

A VPN can help provide an additional layer of online privacy, protection when sending and receiving data, and anonymity while browsing online. By disguising IP addresses and encrypting in-transit data, VPNs are useful tools for online banking, journalism, activism, accessing content while traveling, accessing the dark web, and more.

Here are some of the different types of people who use VPNs and why:

1. General Users: Using a VPN helps enhance privacy and hide online activity. These benefits are especially helpful when using public Wi-Fi networks, ensuring that data while in transit is encrypted.
2. Businesses: Using a VPN offers businesses secure remote access for employees, helping to protect company data when employees are accessing networks remotely.
3. Journalists, activists, and whistleblowers: Using a VPN helps ensure anonymity when accessing and sharing sensitive information online.
4. Travelers: Using a VPN gives people a secure connection to access content when traveling, and it protects web traffic when using public Wi-Fi.
5. Students: Using a VPN can help students access academic resources more easily.
6. Gaming Enthusiasts: Using a VPN provides gamers access to global gaming servers and helps reduce the chances of an in-game interruption caused by a DDoS or other hacking attack.

People in different countries around the world can use a VPN to access content and social media platforms more freely. Beyond that, anyone can use a VPN to enhance their privacy when using public or airplane Wi-Fi, playing video games, browsing the dark web, working remotely, exchanging sensitive information online, or trying to avoid government surveillance.

4 types of VPNs (+ what theyre used for)

There are several types of virtual private networksall with different strengths and weaknesses. Some work well for staying connected on your travels, and others enable remote employees to access a companys internal resources securely. And thats just the start.

Learn more about the best VPNs, their architecture and protocols, and when you should use them.

Personal VPN

A personal VPN service allows everyday users to secure their internet connection at home and out in the world. These are the traditional VPNs youre probably familiar with that mask your IP address and encrypt data you send and receive online to guard against cyber snoopers.

• Most common protocol(s): OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP (Layer2 Tunneling Protocol), PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), and SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)
• Architecture: Client-server
• Used for: Individual privacy, encrypting internet traffic, and masking IP address

Remote access VPN

Remote access VPNs empower users to connect to private networks from different countries around the world, making them valuable to hybrid and work-from-home (WFH) employees. You can use this type of VPN to remotely access private resources, files, applications, data, and more securely.

• Most common protocol(s): SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer Transport Layer Security)
• Architecture: Client-server
• Used for: Secure communication between networks and connecting multiple office locations

Site-to-site VPN

Site-to-site VPNs enable workers to communicate and collaborate securely with people at geographically separated business branches. This is a common way for businesses to maintain a unified and private network as they expand and add more brick-and-mortar locations.

• Most common protocol(s): IPsec (Internet Protocol Security)
• Architecture: Gateway-to-gateway or router-to-router
• Used for: Secure access to a companys internal network for remote employees and users

SSL VPN

An SSL VPN (Secure Sockets Layer VPN) enables users to securely access web-based applications like file-sharing services and internal directories. Ultimately, this helps people protect their calendars, emails, and documents from prying eyes.

• Most common protocol(s): SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer Transport Layer Security)
• Architecture: Web-based
• Used for: Enabling secure access to web-based applications and browsers

How to choose a VPN

Choosing a VPN depends on your (or your organizations) unique privacy needs. Some factors to consider are server locations, provider log policies, subscription costs, architecture, protocols, and kill switch capabilities. Heres a closer look at the factors you should consider when looking for a VPN:

• Architecture: Choose the VPN network structure based on whether you intend to use the VPN for personal or business reasons or content access.
• Servers: Consider the quantity and locations of a VPNs servers since this can impact connection speed, performance, and your ability to access content freely.
• Log policy: Find a VPN service with a no-log policy to help ensure your provider doesnt store your activity data and possibly misuse or compromise sensitive information.
• Cost: Consider all associated fees and read reviews to find a VPN with the right cost-to-quality ratio.
• Protocol: Choose a VPN that follows the set of rules and procedures for data encryption that you need without sacrificing device compatibility or security features.
• Kill switch: Pick a VPN solution with a kill switch to help prevent potential data leaks and ensure security continuity.

Protect your digital privacy with a VPN

Connect with Norton Secure VPN to enhance your online privacy, obscure your location, and help access the content you love. Plus, Nortons VPN has a no-log policy, meaning we dont track or store your online activities. Gen on-the-go access and more anonymous browsing today.

FAQs about VPNs

Still have questions about VPNs? Heres what you need to know.

What does a VPN protect you from?

A VPN can help protect you from eavesdropping on public Wi-Fi, identity theft, government surveillance, account takeovers, and unauthorized access to sensitive accounts.

Do VPNs make you anonymous?

VPNs help enhance your anonymity but cant make you 100% untraceable. For starters, your internet service provider cant see your activity when you use a VPN, but it can see the VPNs IP address. And if theres a DNS leak (security vulnerabilities that happen when your DNS request isnt adequately concealed), any queries you enter online can get sent to the ISPs servers.

Should I leave my VPN on all the time?

Its up to you. You should turn your VPN on whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi. Beyond that, its your decision if you want to leave your VPN on all the time for continuous online security coverage. Just note that constant VPN use can slow down your internet.

What is a VPN on a phone?

A VPN on an iPhone or an Android phone is a mobile application that encrypts internet traffic, masks the device's IP address, and provides more secure and private online browsing through a virtual private network.

What is a VPN number?

A VPN number is a set of identifying numbers that maintain the VPN tunnel encryption and reroute traffic anonymously. Typically, a VPN number can refer to the following three possibilities:

1. A specific server ID identification number that a VPN connection is associated with.
2. A virtual phone number given by the VPN provider to the user.
3. An internal IP address that is allocated to a mobile device when connected via VPN.

How do I install a VPN?

To install a VPN, download your providers VPN application, launch it, and log in. From there, you can connect to the server of your choice to secure your internet connection. If you have any issues, check to make sure your VPN is working properly.

Luis Corrons is a Security Evangelist for Gen (Avast, AVG, Avira, Norton) & leads boards at AMTSO & MUTE. He is a prominent speaker at industry events.

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