Is internet privacy protection a concern for you? It certainly is to me. Are you evaluating Internet privacy solutions? If you are, then my research into solution options will be of particular interest to you.
Internet privacy … the problem
Running a business today almost certainly means having a digital presence, and being connected to the Internet. While the benefits of this transformation are many, security issues are still a daily challenge to businesses and consumers alike.
Now internet service providers can sell the browsing habits of their customers to advertisers. The move, which many critics charge will fundamentally undermine consumer privacy in the US.
Now that they have been scrapped, internet service providers (ISPs) such as Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T are free to track all your browsing behavior and sell it to advertisers without consent.
ISPs have access to all of your browsing behavior – they act as a gateway for all of your web visits, clicks, searches, app downloads, and video streams.
This represents a huge treasure trove of personal data, including health concerns, shopping habits, and porn preferences. ISPs want to use this data to deliver personalized advertising.
Privacy protection … how an Internet privacy solution will help
All of these facts mean you’ll need to take your online privacy into your own hands. Several technical options—especially virtual private networks, or VPNs—will return some semblance of control to you, the internet user.
All of this means you’ll need to take your online privacy into your own hands. Several technical options—especially virtual private networks, or VPNs—will return some semblance of control to you, the internet user.
Privacy protection software … what is a VPN?
Let’s start with understanding the definition of a VPN.
A VPN is a group of computers networked together over a public network like the internet. And these connected computers are a virtual version of a secure, physical network. They are linked together so they can share information by securing internet traffic with encrypted connections over networks that are less secure.
A VPN redirects your internet traffic to disguise where your computer, phone, or other device is when it makes contact with websites. It also encrypts the information you send across the internet so that it’s unreadable to anyone who wants to intercept that traffic – including ISPs.
While VPNs are an important privacy tool, they have limitations. The most obvious: You need to trust your VPN provider not to track you and sell your data itself.
While using a VPN, you might find that you can’t connect to all the sites and services you’re used to using. Netflix, for example, tries to block all VPNs to prevent people from accessing content not licensed in their home countries.
This creates a second layer to the problem: what if the VPNs choose to sell your real browsing behavior? Reputable VPNs won’t do this, but you need to be careful about which one you choose.
It’s wise to avoid the free ones – if you’re not paying for them, they must be making money out of you somehow. In 2015, the free VPN service Hola was revealed to be selling its users’ idle bandwidth to paying customers, including possible botnets.
Privacy protection service … pros and cons of the VPNs
VPNs are well established as one of the best and safest ways to link together users across distances. It is part of the overall strategy for organizations to securely use the Internet to connect remote offices and staff to the main company network. However, this doesn’t mean it is for everybody.
Here are some pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision:
Pros
High level of security with advanced encryption and authentication protocols,
Reduced operational costs when compared to any traditional Wide Area Network (WAN),
Low-cost global networking opportunities,
Scalability to address growth for large capacity and usage without the capital expenditure of on-premises infrastructure,
Allows employees to connect with remote offices using locally available high-speed broadband.
Cons
If you are looking to create your VPN, it is not easy for business because it requires expertise. It requires a thorough understanding of network security issues with careful installation configuration.
There is no direct control because it is reliant on ISPs that supply the VPN. Network conditions can affect the Quality of Service (QoS)
Primary and security on the internet … choosing the right VPN provider
Here are some key factors to keep in mind to ensure you choose the right VPN service for your business:
Server locations: If you’d like to make sure you can completely and fully enjoy the benefits of accessing different markets online, be sure to select a server with a wide variety of locations in the strongest markets worldwide.
Speed: Be sure the service connection is fast and without disruption. Given the pace of your business, you wouldn’t want to use a VPN service that moves at a snail’s pace or consistently drops the connection.
Easy, Cross-Platform Functionality: Make sure the VPN service you choose is simple and easy-to-use, so you and your employees don’t have to spend time messing with different settings. Equally as important, is that the service offers applications for every device. As a business, you’ll want to be able to use the service comfortably from laptop to tablet to phone. So choose a VPN that will work seamlessly across all platforms.
Bank-Level Security: This is important. One of the key benefits of a VPN is the security it offers, so make sure the Business VPN Service you choose is using one of the highest available levels of encryption.
Protocols: VPN Protocols offer the means by which your internet traffic is tunneled to a remote server. Given this, it’s important to choose a service that offers a variety of different, cutting-edge protocols to meet all your location and service needs.
Customer Service: You can have all the amazing tech and benefits you want, but without proper customer service and support, what good is it for? Be sure to choose a Business VPN service that offers top-notch customer service for all your company’s needs.
My research results
My research has turned up several top VPN service providers. But my recommendation is BubbleVPN.
BubbleVPN is a judgment-free, encrypted safe VPN for online browsing on every platform.
BubbleVPN is the only fully independent, grass-roots VPN service on the Net. They don’t have big backers; They don’t have corporate sponsorship. They’re just a small group of peeps who believe in privacy – what they call “Life Inside The Bubble.”
So what’s all this about a “Bubble”? Good question. There are two components to The Bubble. The service is called BubbleVPN. And the physical device, called simply, The Bubble (Coming Soon – Kickstarter Summer 2017).
The SERVICE – BubbleVPN – is a Virtual Private Network that allows users to browse the Internet via an encrypted “bubble” that appears to outside observers as an unreadable, anonymous connection.
By browsing in The Bubble, your history and online activities stay anonymous. Your user profiles, browsing habits, and personal information stay hidden from lurkers, spies, and Big Business.
The Bubble keeps your data safe, secure, and useless to the open market. No data, nothing to sell. Here are some competitive solution comparisons:
This service is ONLINE and WORKING RIGHT NOW.
You can review the terms and conditions and signup here.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, VPN is a proven technology for secure communications between distributed users. Whether you are a person trying to keep your browsing hidden, a single operator, or a small business with many employees, you can use it as an affordable alternative to WAN.
With the right VPN service provider or one that you create, you can have a secure network to communicate and access resources no matter where you are.
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Mike Schoultz is the founder of Digital Spark Marketing, a digital marketing and customer service agency. With 40 years of business experience, he blogs on topics that relate to improving the performance of your business. Find them on G+, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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