Is That VPN A Security Risk?
Do you use a VPN for your business? Do your employees? A VPN can help provide privacy from hackers, snooping and surveillance but they are not foolproof. In fact, VPNs can present security risks you may not have considered.
The strength and reliability of the VPN you may use is especially critical in today’s climate, in which numerous employees are working remotely. That trend is likely to remain strong, and remote staff may be accessing VPNs that can put your company’s data in jeopardy.
Here’s a closer look at some of the common risks that VPNs can present to you and your business.
Encryption helps keep data private and secure. If your VPN has poorly configured encryption, however, hackers may be able to intercept your data, and access it by decrypting using brute force or other techniques. To combat this, a VPN must have strong encryption.
Malware is another possible VPN danger. If a VPN is not properly protected, it can host malware which can steal your financial information as well as other personal data. It can also spy on you and spam you with malicious ads. Ransomware is a specific type of malware that is designed to encrypt your data; you can’t access or use the data until you pay a hefty fee for it.
A VPN that keeps logs can be a security risk because it may expose the logs, including information about what you do on the Internet. Choosing one with a zero-log policy can help you avoid this possibility. VPNs may also be susceptible to data leaks. For example, a VPN may be used to conceal your IP address and traffic, but it may “leak” information if the VPN provider fails to properly configure their connections. This can also happen if there are issues related to the browser being used.
Some VPNs may claim to maintain your privacy yet might collect your data so it can be sold to third parties who will pay for it. This may include advertisers who want to use the information to target potential customers, or unscrupulous parties who may use the information for their personal purposes. Make sure that you read the VPN’s privacy policy closely before using one.
Fortunately, a VPN isn’t your only option; there are other alternatives that may offer better security including zero-trust networks and remote desktop connections. The attached resource,How Safe Is That VPN?, describes more about VPN risks and options to them. Courtesy of Invisily.
