What is A VPN? – Advantages and Disadvantages of a VPN | CDW

Advantages of a VPN

The advantages of a VPN can apply to the workplace as well. VPNs are ideal for remote work setups, because employees can use them to have secure connections to their workplace PCs and company applications and files, no matter where they are. Using a VPN for business ensures that valuable customer and company data is as safe as it can be, even when working from home.
 

Here are some of the key advantages of a VPN for both home and professional use:

Bypass Geo-locked Content

Many popular entertainment websites have different content accessible in specific regions. This is done for many reasons, but the bottom line is that some content is only available in a particular location. By using a VPN to make your connection appear as if it is coming from the region where the content is available, you can easily enjoy your favorite entertainment no matter where you are.

Provide Safety Through Anonymity

When using a VPN, your network information appears as if it is coming from a location different than your own. This disguise for network data helps keep VPN users safe, because anyone looking to steal information would be getting the VPN server’s data instead. Using a VPN keeps the user’s location and other valuable information secure and inaccessible by unwanted parties.

Secure Connection for Remote Work

Businesses today need to consider internet safety more than ever. With more people than ever working from home, sensitive company and customer information is at a higher risk of theft.

For example, say an employee connects to a work computer remotely on a public network without using a VPN. Theoretically, anyone on that public network could gain access to the internal company network, because the employee did nothing to hide their information.

Unfettered access to company files and customer information can be catastrophic to a business. Using a VPN to connect to business-based networks can help ensure that sensitive data is hidden behind the dummy information provided via the VPN.

Save Money on Region-Based eCommerce

When shopping online, websites like hotels or airlines track customers’ network information to increase prices. Some ecommerce vendors will even charge different prices for services based on region. Using a VPN to hide your location allows you to see offers unaffected by shady pricing tactics such as those mentioned above. The money you could save on flights alone could be more than you spent on the VPN.

Cost-Effective Security

There are new “security solutions” every day, but the latest software and firewalls can be expensive and may end up causing more issues than they prevent. You can avoid steep licensing fees or monthly charges by using a VPN. While it might not scan for viruses or block intruders from trying to connect to your PC, a VPN prevents the need for those features by essentially making you invisible online. You do not need to block outside people trying to get into your network when they think your system is two thousand miles away in Jamaica.

Gaming Pros

If you have the bandwidth, using a VPN while gaming can have some advantages. The bonuses include protection from DDoS attacks or angry players trying to gain access to your home network. The region-free capabilities of using a VPN also means that you could choose which servers to use when playing a game, which could even improve your connection speeds in some situations. Some gaming titles may only be available in specific regions, and a VPN could give you access to those games as well.