What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

A VPN is an encrypted secure tunnel between two devices or networks. When a VPN is setup between two devices or networks then all devices between these two networks look like they are a part of single network. The connection is secure and encrypted. This ensures that the data in transit between your device and virtual desktop is protected from sniffers and hackers.

Why is VPN needed?

There are various reasons why a VPN is used. One of the most popular reasons is security. As a VPN is an encrypted tunnel; it is used to protect private web traffic from being snooped. One of the most important reasons for VPN use by our corporate customers has been for Active Directory Integration, which enables single signon between applications in a secure way.

Is a VPN Easy Enough to use by Small Businesses?

Yes. Small businesses who use our virtual desktops or servers can use VPNs easily. This is the same secure technology that safeguards data transfer between devices which our corporate customers have locally and our virtual desktops.

Here are a few ways VPNs can be used by small businesses.

1. Browsing securely without compromising your data security
2. Securely share files and folders between your local devices and virtual desktop.
3. Securely access your desktop remotely.
4. Securely print from your virtual desktop to printer installed locally.

Secure Browsing:

Users are often connected to an untrusted network, such as WiFi of a hotel or a coffee shop.You can use the VPN service which is part of the virtual desktop you have with us. You don’t even have to login into your virtual desktop. Just connecting your device to the VPN service will encrypt and secure your connection even on open or untrusted networks. By using a VPN, all your data and browsing activity remains encrypted and protected from hackers and sniffers.

Secure File and Folder Sharing:

You can safely move files and folders between your virtual desktop and the PC or device. This is as secure as transferring files locally. Local networks which typical businesses use, are not exposed to an outsider and hence are considered safe. With the VPN in a virtual desktop, your virtual desktop and your computer see each other as a part of the same network. Due to this, files between your local device and virtual desktop are transferred as if they are in the same network. The very basic nature of VPN is security-the connection is encrypted. This protects the files and folders from sniffers and hackers.

Secure Remote Desktop:

This is one of the biggest benefits of getting a VPN on a virtual desktop. When you connect to the virtual desktop; your connection is fully encrypted. Typically, when you connect remotely, connections may be open to sniffers on hackers on the Internet. Potentially, this means that all activities between your local desktop and virtual desktop can be potentially seen by sniffers and hackers. This puts your data and information at risk. To safeguard your data, we always add an SSL to your virtual desktops. However, it is not a tunnel and users normal internet methods to communicate. If you are looking for enterprise grade security without spending lot of money-then you could use VPN on the virtual desktop. All major providers by default will provide you an SSL based security. But you can always add a VPN tunnel to make it exclusively private, encrypted and secure.

Secure Remote Printing:

Organizations are adopting virtual desktops rapidly. Often, users need to print from the virtual desktop. With VPNs, virtual desktops and all the devices including printers become local. Due to this, all your users will be able to print anything from virtual desktop to the printer which is connected locally or is a part of your office network. Besides, the connection will encrypted and safe via the VPN.

How to use a VPN on Our Virtual Desktops

All our dedicated desktops and servers come with pre-configured VPN services with no additional charges. You will need to download an OpenVPN client onto your device. Once you have downloaded the client, you just need to run the client to connect to our virtual desktops. This will create a secure tunnel between your device and the dedicated desktop you have with us.

To sign up for a dedicated desktop with VPN, order now