Easy Steps to Initiate VPN Connectivity

Utilizing a VPN or virtual private network may appear intricate initially, but it’s a program that’s surprisingly simple to establish and operate. Whether you’re a part of a small enterprise or a larger corporation, incorporating a VPN can be an excellent method to safeguard crucial company data.

This piece will provide you with a guide on setting up a VPN, navigating its functionalities, and optimizing its features for your establishment.

1. Commence VPN Selection

Although all VPNs encrypt the linkage between a device and a network, each provider introduces its distinct traits and unique functionalities. For instance, ExpressVPN presents a sleek and user-friendly interface, whereas CyberGhost VPN emphasizes maintaining a vast server structure spanning across 100 locations.

Understanding the purpose behind needing a VPN is crucial. Do you seek enhanced security and confidentiality? Is the aim to access blocked content? How many devices require protection through the VPN? Clarifying these queries will help in determining the most suitable VPN for your requirements.

Reviewing a VPN’s credibility and past performance in safeguarding user information should also figure in the decision-making process. VPNs are tasked with protecting data from malicious entities, not utilizing or storing it for self-gain. A strong indication of this is having a no-logs policy that has been validated through an external audit. A no-logs policy affirms that a VPN refrains from logging sensitive user information like browsing history or IP addresses. While many assert to adhere to a no-logs policy, having an external audit validate this is crucial.

If you require assistance in kicking off your VPN selection process, you can explore our recommendations for the Top 4 VPNs for Small Enterprises.

For this tutorial, let’s utilizeExpressVPN as a case study.

ExpressVPN stands out as one of the leading VPN providers in the market and is recognized for its dependability and user-friendly interface.

2. Obtain a VPN

Once you have selected a VPN, it’s time to register and make the payment for your chosen subscription. Most VPN services offer various subscription plans, such as monthly, yearly, or biennial options. Opting for a longer-term plan results in lower monthly costs.

My suggestion would be to consider an annual subscription, as it strikes a good balance between affordable pricing and a reasonable contract duration.

I also advise taking advantage of the money-back guarantees provided by VPN services. Many providers allow a trial period of 30 days or more for users to evaluate the software and request a refund if the VPN does not meet their expectations within the specified time frame.

When it comes to ExpressVPN, you have the choice of a monthly plan at $12.95 per month, an annual plan at $6.67 per month, or a biennial plan at $4.99 per month.

While free VPN services are available, they often sacrifice security, speed, and additional features.

3. Configure VPN

Upon completing the VPN payment, the subsequent step involves downloading and installing the VPN application. If you are downloading the VPN client for Windows or Mac systems, ensure you obtain it from the official website of the VPN provider.

Once you click on the download link, the VPN installer file will be saved in your downloads folder.

By running the installer file, you will initiate the setup process for the VPN. Follow the on-screen instructions until the VPN software is successfully installed on your device.

4. Utilize the VPN

Thankfully, modern VPNs are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Once the VPN is installed, you typically have a one-click button to connect or disconnect, along with a selection of servers to connect to.

By default, VPNs connect to the fastest available server in your vicinity, usually choosing a server location that is closest to your physical location. However, you have the option to select a specific server location according to your requirements and preferences.

With ExpressVPN, there is a prominent power button at the center for managing your connection, and the server menu is conveniently positioned below it.

After selecting a server, simply click on connect which will establish a secure VPN connection for you.

There may be individuals questioning if it is necessary to manually connect to a server every time, the answer is negative. Typically, most VPNs can be set up to start automatically and connect to a preferred server of your choosing.

It’s worth noting that closing a VPN desktop window typically doesn’t terminate the program entirely. VPNs operate as software in the background, requiring you to either close the VPN application via the Windows task manager or manually quit the application on a Mac.

If you encounter issues with the VPN not working as expected, a good approach is to disconnect from the server and restart the application. If that fails to resolve the problem, VPN providers offer customer support either on their website or within the app itself.

Reputable VPN services provide round-the-clock live chat support to assist you in case of malfunctions. If this isn’t an option, you can send an email through the VPN’s support page or ticketing system.

Top methods to utilize a VPN for your business

VPNs serve multiple purposes. They can grant access to streaming services, ensure secure file sharing, and enhance gaming experiences. Moreover, they can optimize daily operations for businesses. Here are some ways in which they can provide such support:

Safeguard company and client assets

By encrypting the connection between the network and a connected device, VPNs secure all data transmitted between them. This protects both internal company resources and client information from potential threats.

VPNs are crucial for safeguarding confidential files, internal communications, and other assets against cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Ensure secure connections for remote employees

Another advantage of VPNs is securing remote employees’ access to the corporate network. As remote workers commonly operate from home, they often connect to company resources over unsecured networks.

VPN encryption guarantees that sensitive data accessed by remote employees remains confidential and untraceable, even if intercepted.

Enhance geographical flexibility

VPNs grant the capability to select an alternate IP address and location different from your actual one. This provides easy access to geo-restricted content globally.

Such flexibility benefits employees who travel frequently, enabling them to access region-locked content like news articles, streaming platforms, and local websites. It also aids remote staff who may face challenges accessing resources beyond their usual workplace.

How to ensure optimal utilization of your VPN

Integrating a VPN significantly boosts security, but there are additional steps you can take to maximize its benefits.

• Browsing through available VPN applications for your smartphone empowers employees to secure work-related data on their personal devices. As companies increasingly rely on mobile platforms for communication and work tasks, installing a VPN service’s iOS or Android app helps maintain enhanced security across all devices.

• Deploying VPN browser plugins allows you to utilize a VPN directly from your browser. Certain VPN extensions can function independently without the desktop application, facilitating secure work on alternate computers.

• Considering team subscriptions can be a cost-effective strategy for businesses seeking VPN services. In addition to the VPN itself, team subscriptions typically offer reduced rates, consolidated billing, and an administrative console for managers.

SEE: IT Leader’s Guide to Cybersecurity Awareness Training (TechRepublic Premium)

Top user-friendly VPNs

While VPN encryption can be complex, three services stand out for their ease of use: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and TunnelBear VPN.

ExpressVPN boasts a modern-looking user interface (UI) that is user-friendly. Its browser extension doubles as a convenient control panel for the desktop app, enabling easy access to Express directly from the browser.

You can access our complete evaluation of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost VPN intelligently categorizes its servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. With over 10,000 servers across 100 countries, these categories simplify the selection of servers based on different user requirements.

Explore our comprehensive review of CyberGhost VPN.

TunnelBear provides the most beginner-friendly and least intimidating user interface. Featuring a bear-themed desktop application, each server is represented by a tunnel, and the TunnelBear bear appears once the connection to a new server is established.

Review our detailed assessment of TunnelBear VPN.

This article was initially published in November 2023 and was revised by Luis Millares in March 2025.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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