Proton VPN

As businesses move online and work on the cloud, they should invest in security practices and privacy. A VPN or virtual private network helps employees securely access their company's resources and data. For companies with remote employees, a dedicated VPN IP can help their team securely access resources, files, and applications from remote locations. In this guide, we cover how Proton VPN can help your business as you scale your IT infrastructure.

Proton VPN is a popular VPN service that protects sensitive data from cyber threats, ensuring secure communication and client information.

Below are some of the best use cases of Proton VPN:

Safe Browsing: Proton VPN can help you protect your business against malware threats and secure your online operations. One standout feature is DNS filtering, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious scripts, allowing you to focus on growing your business without worrying about cyber threats.

Proton VPN also follows a strict no-logs policy, so they don't track your online activities. With features like DNS leak protection and a kill switch, you can browse confidently, knowing your personal information is safe. Plus, it has servers in over 110 countries, making it easy for your remote team to bypass geo-restrictions. 

Privacy: Proton VPN offers strong security features to protect your data. Its Secure Core architecture routes your internet traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland, enhancing your defense against network attacks and providing extra anonymity. It also uses AES-256-bit encryption to keep your browsing history private, which is vital for businesses handling sensitive client information.

Remote Access and Access Control: Small businesses must protect data while also ensuring employees can connect securely from anywhere in the world. The dedicated IP address ensures reliable connections and strong security, making it easier to control access. This way, you can confidently let your employees work remotely, boosting productivity and teamwork without cybersecurity worries.

Proton VPN also offers handy features like VPN Accelerator, Stealth Protocol, and Alternative Routing to keep everything running smoothly. Plus, the always-on VPN and auto-connect features keep your business safe.

Different VPNs serve distinct purposes—be it streaming, torrenting, security, or other functionalities. Here’s a comparison of Proton VPN with other options in the market. While Proton VPN stands out for its privacy and security features, there are situations where other VPNs may better meet specific needs.

Streaming Services: If your main concern is bypassing geo-restrictions for streaming, services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN typically provide more consistent performance with platforms such as Netflix or Hulu. For instance, NordVPN boasts over 5,200 servers in 91+ countries, which helps in reliably unblocking content across multiple regions. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is known for its speed and ability to access a wider range of streaming libraries, often outperforming competitors in speed tests, which can enhance your viewing experience.

Budget-Friendly Options: For users on a tight budget, Surfshark stands out with its competitive pricing. Despite its affordability, it offers a solid service with over 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Additionally, Surfshark's unlimited device policy allows users to protect multiple devices simultaneously, making it an attractive option for families or tech-savvy individuals.

Step 1: Deciding on a Proton VPN subscription

Proton VPN offers three subscription options: Proton Free, Proton VPN Plus, and Proton Unlimited. Proton Free is free but has slower speeds and lets you connect one device with access to servers in five countries. Proton VPN Plus costs more and gives you over 3,000 servers in 110 countries, allowing up to 10 device connections with the fastest speeds. Proton Unlimited includes all the Plus features and adds Proton Mail Plus, Proton Drive Plus, and Proton Calendar.

If you're just starting, Proton Free is a great choice with no data cap. 

Step 2: Downloading and Setting Up Proton VPN

To download Proton Free, click the "Get Proton Free" button on the pricing page. Create an account with your email and a new password—you can even generate a random password if you want. Just remember to save it securely.

After that, you'll head to the download page for the installer files that suit your operating system. If you're on Windows, download the Windows file. Proton VPN works on macOS, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, and Android too. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Once it's installed, the Proton VPN app will launch, asking for your account details. Log in to access the main dashboard.

Step 3: Using Proton VPN

Proton VPN has an easy On/Off switch to connect to its servers. Use the Quick Connect button on the left side of the interface to connect to the fastest server based on your location. Keep in mind that Proton Free users can only connect to servers in the Netherlands, Romania, Japan, Poland, or the United States.

Start by uninstalling your current VPN client to avoid conflicts, and ensure no other conflicting software is running. Then, follow the setup instructions on the Proton VPN website for a step-by-step guide to enjoying improved security, privacy, and access to various servers.

ProtonMail: It is a secure email service that ensures confidential communication through end-to-end encryption, so only you and the intended recipient can read the messages—perfect for privacy-conscious users.

Browser Extensions: Proton VPN works seamlessly with Chromium-based browsers like Brave, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi, as well as Firefox-based ones like LibreWolf and Waterfox.

Other Proton Extensions: Proton VPN is versatile and available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, with dedicated VPN extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

A handy feature is split-tunneling, which allows you to choose which applications and websites use the VPN connection and which connect to the regular internet. This is available on Windows and Android, giving you more control over your browsing experience.

Proton also offers tools to enhance security and efficiency for businesses:

• Proton Calendar: Organize your schedule with a securely encrypted calendar.
• Proton Drive: Back up your business data with end-to-end encrypted cloud storage for seamless document collaboration.
• Proton Pass: Streamline security management with an encrypted password manager for easy access to work logins.

Proton VPN integrates well with various tools, but there are a few scenarios where issues may arise:

Other VPN Software: Running multiple VPNs can cause connectivity problems, as they can interfere with each other's secure connections. Use only one VPN at a time online.

Certain Network Security Applications: Some firewalls or antivirus software may flag VPN traffic as a threat, blocking your connection. Adjust the settings of these applications to whitelist Proton VPN for smooth usage.