Last updated - November 9, 2022
Do you own an e-commerce business? Stressed about all the laws and regulations you have to follow? We get it; e-commerce is a lucrative industry, but for that very reason, it is often the target of many cybercriminals.
Everyone wants a piece of the pie. The problem is that you, as the e-commerce business owner, are responsible for all the data people provide on your website – from email addresses and names to more critical info such as credit cards and physical locations.
In other words, if your business suffers a cybersecurity attack, you’ll face the consequences of not keeping people’s data safe. Luckily, there is a way to add another layer of security to your e-commerce business using a VPN.
What is a VPN?
A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and it’s exactly that – a secure private network that you can use to hide your online activity and appear private on the net. In simpler words, a VPN is a service that allows you to connect to a private network that encrypts your data, so you don’t have to risk being vulnerable to attacks on public networks.
However, a virtual private network comes in handy on more than one occasion. Sure, it’s helpful to have a backup network option to connect to when you’re out and about. Still, for business owners, this service can make a tremendous difference in security and prevent major financial losses that come out of handling cybersecurity threats.
Do You Need a VPN?
Now that you know what a VPN is, the question is, do you need one? Well, no law or regulation makes the use of a virtual private network mandatory by any means. So, in that regard, you are not obligated to leave this article and download a VPN right away.
However, if you want to improve the security of your e-commerce business and give yourself some peace of mind, you should download a reliable VPN. It will help you keep collected data safe, in combination with other security measures such as multi-factor authentication.
Can a VPN Benefit an E-commerce business?
Let’s talk about the benefits of using a virtual private network (and there are many of them). The most important VPN benefit for e-commerce businesses is data security. Not only will this help prevent any unwanted incidents, but it can also serve as a trust builder for new customers.
Addressing the use of a VPN for security purposes will make it easier to convince customers that there are no security threats on your website. After all, people have become more hesitant about using their credit cards online, so an extra boost of confidence in your security system can’t hurt.
After security comes convenience and ease of use, a virtual private network service can be installed and used on any device, whether it’s an Android, an iOS, or a desktop computer. You can even install a virtual private network on your office/home router and have every device connected to your WiFi experience safer internet surfing.
Amazing, right? On top of that, a VPN is really easy to use, even if you’ve never seen what the interface of this service looks like. It may sound like some complicated hacking equation, but setting up a virtual private network is easier than you think. Today’s VPN companies make their services very user-friendly (thankfully).
Moreover, a VPN will secure file sharing and financial transactions, which are important components of an e-commerce business. But, let’s face it – the biggest security threat for any business is the employees themselves, especially when many people are working from home.
A VPN ensures that remote workers can still do their work without putting the security of your business at risk. With a VPN, it doesn’t matter what public or private network they’re using to access the internet. Either way, they will be protected from outside threats, keeping your business safer.
How to Use a VPN?
Using a VPN is far simpler than you think. All you have to do is find a reliable service, choose a subscription plan, and download their VPN app. Yes, there’s going to be a subscription plan involved because the last thing you want is to fall for free VPN apps.
Usually, service providers who offer VPNs for free end up leveraging the data to monetize the service – most often selling it on the black market. Hence, it is much safer to choose a reliable VPN provider and enjoy the extra security without any regrets.
Once you’ve installed the app, all you have to do is follow the interactive dashboard to set up the server connection, and you’ll be good to go. Connecting to a VPN server is quite simple. You’ll find a list of available servers in different countries, and you just have to select one and click connect.
VPN for Personal Use
There is no doubt that a virtual private network can significantly increase the security of your e-commerce business. However, you should also know that a VPN can help your personal devices fight off enemies as well. Besides, there’s more than one reason to use a VPN (yes, it’s not only about security).
A virtual private network gives you geographical independence, which means you can virtually change your location any time you’d like. Why would you want to do that? There are many reasons, but the most common ones are to access content that’s not available in your country or to access cheaper pricing in third-world countries.
A VPN can help you find cheaper flight and accommodation solutions by changing your virtual location. Crazy, right? Well, it’s worth downloading a VPN app and playing around with its features, especially if you’re running a business that handles many financial transactions or stores a significant amount of people’s personal information.
