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Pros And Cons Of A Virtual Private Network

Since inception of Virtual Private Network (VPN), the technology is widely used in business firms to provide a secure and convenient way to connect distant employees and remote offices. VPN makes it easy for the users to share files, folders and other important data over the internet, without any form of protocols or permissions required.

If you are planning to use virtual private network for your business, given below are some of the pros and cons that you should consider:

Security

  • Pro: VPN offers a high level of security while accessing the internet. It uses advanced authentication and encryption protocols to safeguard your data from unauthorized access by the hackers.
  • Con: Deployment of a VPN technology can be quite complex for any business. You need to hire a dedicated IT staff who has complete knowledge of VPN configuration, network or security issues that may arise and the best way to deal with them.

Scalability

  • Pro: Virtual private networks are quite scalable when it comes to accommodating the growing demands of a company. As your business expands and opens offices in multiple locations, you do not need separate lines to connect all of them. You simply need to connect to the already configured VPN to access the corporate network.
  • Con: If you need to add infrastructure to the VPN, it may lead to certain technical issues, particularly if you switch to another service provider. Combining VPN products from two different vendors may cause problems in compatibility while using equipment from the same provider may increase your expenses.

Remote Connectivity

  • Pro: Virtual private networks allow employees and business partners to communicate easily over the internet, irrespective of their geographical location. Expenses related to international calling and long distance communication can be considerably reduced.
  • Con: The use of improperly configured internet networks and unsecure devices to connect to the VPN can compromise security of all the connected computer systems. Employees may also connect through wireless hotspots which increases the risk for a potential data breach.

Despite these pros and cons, VPN offers the most viable solution for remote users to communicate securely. However, businesses need to focus on addressing the minor glitches in order to capitalize on this technology.

If you are planning to configure VPN in your company’s internal network, Centex Technologies can provide complete IT support. For more information, you can call us at (972) 375 – 9654.

Security Rules For Public Wi-Fi Users

Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, hotels, coffee shops, subways etc. may seem to be a convenient way to access the internet but these networks are not configured properly to safeguard your personal and financial information. Often, you do not even need a password to connect to these public networks, which makes them likely to be used by cybercriminals as well. Any information you send or receive through these networks may be altered, accessed or pilfered without your knowledge.

You should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks in the first place but in case it is absolutely necessary to do so, here are some security rules that should be followed:

Turn Off Sharing

When you are using a public network, make sure you disable sharing of files, printers and music library. This will prevent other users on the same network from accessing your personal information, particularly if it are not password protected. You should also turn off network discovery, so that your computer is not included in the list of connected devices, minimizing the risk of a potential attack.

Enable Firewall

Turn on your operating system’s firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your computer. Many windows devices automatically enable firewall during initial setup. However, you must check your computer’s settings to ensure that the firewall is turned on.

Look For Secure Browser Extensions

Many websites transmit information in plain text over the network you are connected to. This allows the hackers to easily steal the information and use it for malicious purposes. When you use websites that start with ‘HTTPS’, it means that all the data between your computer and the web server is end-to-end encrypted. Thus, even if a data breach occurs, the information will be of no use to the hacker unless he has the decryption key.

Use A Virtual Private Network

To increase your security on public Wi-Fi networks, you can consider using a virtual private network (VPN). It will encrypt your network connection and hide your IP address so that you can access the internet anonymously. By using a VPN, you can have the security of a private network, while protecting all your sensitive information from online attacks. You can also enable private browsing or incognito mode so that your browsing details are not stored on the network.

For more information on public Wi-Fi security, feel free to contact Centex Technologies. We can be reached at (972) 375 – 9654.