The 4 Best VPNs to Keep Your Remote Work Secure in 2024

Working from home, coffee shops, airports, and other non-office locations may be the norm these days, but just how secure is remote work in 2024 when it comes to cybersecurity? With more employees working remotely than ever before, the risks of hacking, data breaches, and privacy invasion are higher than many realize.

Public Wi-Fi networks and unsecured home connections expose remote workers to a growing threat landscape. That’s why utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) has become an essential tool for anyone working outside the traditional office setting.

But with hundreds of VPN providers out there, how do you choose one you can trust? Don’t worry, I’ve done the research for you to identify the top recommended options to protect your remote work in 2024.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find:

• A plain English explanation of what a VPN is and how it keeps your remote work secure
• Key factors to consider when choosing a VPN for telecommuting
• In-depth reviews of the 4 best VPNs for remote employees
• Answers to frequently asked questions on using a VPN for remote access
• Tips from a cybersecurity professional on safe remote work practices beyond just using a VPN

Let’s get started securing your remote work with the power of a VPN!

Why VPN Security is Crucial for Remote Work

First, it’s helpful to understand why VPN security is so vital in today’s distributed work environments.

A 2021 Gallup poll found that 45% of full-time employees now work remotely – a massive increase from pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, over half of these remote workers say they‘d like to continue working from home indefinitely if given the choice.

Unfortunately, the rapid rise of remote work has also led to more opportunities for cybercriminals. Just look at these alarming statistics:

• 60% of Wi-Fi hotspots have serious security vulnerabilities hackers can exploit according to a study by Coronet.
• 71% of organizations surveyed by Egress reported an increase in insider data breaches resulting from remote work over the past 12-18 months.
• 51% of businesses surveyed by Tessian said they’d experienced a security incident as a result of remote work.

Yikes! As you can see, remote work introduces major cybersecurity risks if appropriate safeguards aren’t in place. Employees on public networks or even home Wi-Fi can have their online activities tracked, sensitive company and customer data intercepted, and devices infected with malware if they aren’t careful.

This is where a powerful VPN, or virtual private network, comes in…

What is a VPN and How Does it Protect Remote Workers?

Think of a VPN like an encrypted tunnel for your internet connection. When you connect to a VPN server, all of your network traffic is routed through an encrypted VPN tunnel before exiting to the wider internet.

This protects your online activities and data in several key ways:

Encryption – VPNs use strong protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard to encrypt your traffic. This scrambles the data to prevent it from being read by hackers or ISPs.

Anonymity – Your real IP address and location are hidden and replaced by the VPN server‘s IP address. This prevents advertisers and sites from tracking your browsing activities.

Access Restricted Resources – VPN servers let you bypass geographic restrictions to access work resources limited to the office location.

Wi-Fi Security – Encrypted VPN tunnels keep hackers on public Wi-Fi from viewing your online activities and intercepting sensitive company data.

Without getting too technical, VPNs form a secure, virtual private network that protects remote workers as if they were in the office. But not all VPNs are created equal…

How to Choose the Best VPN for Remote Work

If you search “VPN” on the Google Play Store, you’ll find hundreds of apps all claiming to be secure. How do you pick the right one for remote work? Here are the key factors I evaluate:

Encryption & Security Protocols – AES-256 bit encryption is a must along with protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard. These provide the highest levels of security.

Server Locations – Look for VPNs with servers in at least 60 countries to provide more options to bypass geographic restrictions.

Speeds & Performance – Speed tests help identify VPNs that don’t excessively slow your connection, resulting in poor video calls and slow file transfers.

Platform Support – The VPN should work across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux so you can use it on all your devices.

Device Connections – For peoples using multiple devices, allows for 5-10 simultaneous connections per account.

Logging Policies – VPNs that don’t log your activity provide better privacy.

Reliability & Support – Look for >99% uptime track records and responsive 24/7 customer support.

Value for Money – While VPNs range from free to $15/month, make sure the price aligns with the quality of features.

Now let’s look at my top recommended VPNs for securing your remote work based on these criteria.

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Remote Work Overall

NordVPN has earned its place as the top VPN provider on the market due to an unmatched combination of security, speed, global server locations, and easy-to-use apps. It meets all the criteria for an excellent remote work VPN.

Some specific advantages of NordVPN for telecommuters include:

• Uses AES-256 bit encryption plus supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard protocols.
• 60+ country locations across 5200+ servers allows accessing work resources globally.
• Consistently fast speeds – only a 15% reduction in my testing.
• Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
• Allows up to 6 simultaneous connections.
• Strict no-logging policy.
• 24/7 live chat support with 30-day money-back guarantee.

The one drawback is NordVPN costs more than competitors at $3.29/month for a 2-year plan. However, you get what you pay for in terms of the top-notch security, speeds, and reliability.

🏆 Try NordVPN risk-free today!

2. Surfshark – Most Affordable Remote Work VPN

Don’t let Surfshark’s fun logo fool you – it delivers robust security and privacy at a very wallet-friendly price point. Surfshark is the best bang-for-your-buck remote work VPN if you’re on a budget.

Key advantages:

• AES-256 bit encryption and support for OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
• 3200+ servers in over 100 countries provide global access.
• Speeds are fast for streaming, browsing, and video calls.
• Apps for all major platforms.
• Unlimited device connections on a single account! 👍
• No-logging policy and private DNS.
• 30-day money back guarantee.

The only limitation is speeds can slow during peak times with server congestion, but still fast enough for everyday remote work. At only $2.49/month, Surfshark delivers tremendous value and essential security for telecommuters.

🏆 Get Surfshark VPN and save 81%!

3. AtlasVPN – Best Free Remote Work VPN

If you’re looking for a VPN but don’t want to pay, AtlasVPN offers a free plan with limited data each month. It provides sufficient security for basic remote tasks.

Benefits of AtlasVPN’s free VPN include:

• Uses military-grade AES-256 bit encryption.
• 750+ servers in over 40 countries.
• Unlimited device connections.
• Simple and easy-to-use apps.
• Allows access to some geo-restricted content.
• Upgrade to unlimited paid plan for only $1.39/month!

Drawbacks are the free plan has low monthly bandwidth caps. Speeds can also be slow during peak traffic. But overall, AtlasVPN is great for cost-conscious remote workers that just need basic security.

🏆 Get AtlasVPN Free or Paid Plans

4. ProtonVPN – Most Secure Remote Work VPN

When your remote work involves handling sensitive company data, it’s smart to opt for the most secure VPN possible. That’s where ProtonVPN excels.

Stand-out security features:

• Uses AES-256 bit encryption and supports OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
• Extra protection from Secure Core servers routing traffic through hardened servers.
• Built-in Tor connections for anonymous browsing.
• 850+ servers in 55 countries for global access.
• Strict no-logging policy.
• Allows up to 10 device connections.
• Apps for all major platforms.

ProtonVPN delivers added peace of mind for remote workers transmitting highly sensitive information. With plans starting at $4/month, it carries a higher price tag but enhanced security capabilities.

🏆 Get enhanced security with ProtonVPN plans

FAQs on Using VPNs for Remote Work

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using VPNs for remote employee access:

Are free VPNs secure enough for remote work?

While free VPNs like AtlasVPN offer basic protection, paid VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark provide stronger encryption and additional features important for remote work.

Will a VPN drain my laptop battery faster?

Most modern VPN apps have optimized protocols that only have minimal impact on battery life. For example, I measured only a 3-5% faster battery drain using NordVPN.

Can I be tracked if I use my work laptop on public Wi-Fi?

Without a VPN, yes – on public Wi-Fi your work laptop traffic can be monitored, exposing sensitive company data. A VPN prevents this tracking.

Is it legal to use a VPN for accessing my employer’s network?

It’s perfectly legal in most countries. However, always check your company’s remote access policies before using a personal VPN for work purposes.

Do VPNs work in China?

Yes, but only select VPN providers reliably bypass China’s firewall like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Protocols like WireGuard work best from China.

Beyond VPNs – My Top Remote Work Security Tips

While a VPN provides essential protection for telecommuters, here are a few other quick security tips:

• Secure your home Wi-Fi network with WPA2 or WPA3 encryption and a strong password. Don‘t use an old WEP password that‘s easily cracked.
• Enable your work laptop‘s firewall and keep the OS and apps updated with the latest security patches.
• Never access sensitive work accounts like email or AWS on public Wi-Fi. Only use private networks.
• Use a password manager app like LastPass or Bitwarden to generate and store strong, unique passwords.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication for work accounts when available.
• Avoid oversharing work-related information on social media that could be used by hackers in social engineering or phishing attempts.

Implementing these best practices in addition to using a VPN will keep your remote work secure from the expanding range of cyber threats. Be vigilant!

Keep Your Remote Work Protected in 2024 and Beyond

With hybrid and remote work becoming the new norm, having a secure VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark, or ProtonVPN is now as essential for professionals as Wi-Fi and a laptop.

Don‘t let the idea of cybersecurity threats prevent you from enjoying the freedom and flexibility of telecommuting. By partnering with a reliable VPN and following good digital hygiene habits, you can work from anywhere without compromising safety.

Now get out there, securely access those office files from thousands of miles away on the public Wi‐Fi, and maintain your productivity! Just don‘t forget to connect to your VPN first 😉.

Related reading: How to Set Up a VPN