The global use of virtual private networks has grown by 35% in March 2020. This sudden growth in demand was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number one topic in media around the world.

The virus outbreak has forced governments to take serious measures, such as locking down entire cities. And as more people turn to online communication and remote work, online security is becoming a more prominent concern. 

Many have turned to virtual private networks as the best solution for securing private and corporate data online. Hence, the sudden growth in VPN demand. 

Regular people usually used VPNs only after finding them in search results when looking for “hide my IP” solutions. Cybersecurity experts, on the other hand, have always regarded virtual private network services as an effective solution for online data encryption. And today, VPNs are one of the essential security tools in corporations around the world. Find more information here: https://nordvpn.com/features/hide-ip/

What is Happening with the VPN Use?

With strict measures in place, millions of people had to work from home. And most of them had no previous remote work experience. While working from home has its benefits, it also puts companies and workers at risk of data breaches and cybersecurity threats. 

There’s no security team in charge of managing a shared network at home. So employees are free to roam the internet without much protection. Thus, team managers and CEOs have turned to VPN services as a way to minimize security threats. 

Since the pandemic started, the use of VPNs has increased by 50% in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. It has also increased by 47% in Germany and 22% in Australia. It is a significant growth compared to the pre-pandemic period. 

The Benefits of VPN for Remote Work

Virtual private networks protect people’s data when connecting to unprotected public networks. Nowadays, most online communications take place from inside of people’s homes due to social distancing rules. But VPN still plays a significant role in securing the data transferred to and from devices. 

Hackers know that pandemic increased the use of online platforms. So they have prepared to increase the frequency and intensity of cybersecurity attacks too. Without safety measures, such as VPNs, in place, millions of data records and personal devices would be at risk. 

A VPN, meanwhile, creates an encrypted tunnel between the device in use and a remote server. It hides all the information from third parties, even their ISP. Once you activate a VPN, even the government would struggle to connect your identity to your activities online.

If you think about how much of your personal information travels online every day, the amount of risk you are at is unbearable. 

And enterprise VPNs do even more. Account administrators can use them to enable access to business platforms online. For example, they can make sure only employees connected to the VPN can access the BI dashboard. No one else could load the website.

So, it’s not surprising that corporations encourage their employees to use VPN subscriptions whenever working from home. It helps to secure corporate data and files. And even a simple VPN plan can ensure security both for workers and organizations in charge.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

Before you rush to download the first VPN app you find, there are some things you should be aware of. 

For instance, VPN services must abide by the laws of the country they operate in. Depending on their location, many services must log users’ information, which means you can’t trust them 100% not to record and share your data. 

NordVPN, for example, operates out of Panama. There are no such laws that would ask them to retain users’ information. So make sure to choose a service that doesn’t engage in data logging and untransparent activities. 

Moreover, look for services with a variety of server locations and good connection speed. The last thing you want is to deal with a slow internet connection due to a VPN interfering in the background. While you’re at it, check whether the service offers reliable customer support in case of any issues or concerns. 

In the end, the growth of VPN usage on a global level is a good thing. It shows that people are aware of the need for extra online security. 

VPNs can come in handy even for those who are not working from home. Everyone should use them to protect their online privacy, whether it’s the social isolation period or not. 

If you want to apply the extra level of security, consider investing in a reliable virtual private network plan. After all, VPNs are still more affordable than commuting to work.