In an increasingly connected world, IoT (Internet of Things) devices have become essential tools for many companies and homes. From security cameras to sensors throughout our home, these devices make our lives easier and improve productivity. However, they also present a challenge: the security of the data they exchange. That’s where using a VPN service comes into play.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is not only useful for protecting your personal devices, but in the context of IoT, it becomes practically indispensable. With a VPN, you can ensure that all communications between your devices are encrypted, protecting the information circulating over the network from unwanted eyes and unauthorized access. Now let’s see why you should seriously consider its implementation in your IoT projects.
To have your data much more protected
The main reason to use a VPN in your IoT projects is security. As more devices connect to the Internet, the risk of an attack also increases. IoT devices, for the most part, are not designed with complete security in mind, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. With a VPN, you encrypt the connections between your devices and the network, making it difficult for unauthorized access to information.
Additionally, when using a VPN, your devices’ public IP addresses are hidden. This means that attackers won’t be able to easily track the location of your devices or infiltrate your local network. Thus, you protect both the data that is transmitted and the connected devices themselves.
To save on costs
A lesser-known advantage of using VPNs in IoT projects is cost savings. By implementing a VPN, you can avoid paying for a fixed IP address for each of your devices. This is especially useful when you have a large number of devices connected, as Internet service providers often charge additional fees for fixed IPs.
On the other hand, a VPN can also reduce data consumption. By compressing the traffic that passes through the network, especially on mobile connections, it saves you bandwidth and, consequently, helps you reduce your Internet provider’s bill.
Because it is more flexible and easier to integrate
With a VPN, managing IoT devices also becomes easier and more flexible. You can connect multiple devices remotely through the same private network, without worrying about opening ports or configuring public IP addresses on each of them. This makes it easy to integrate new devices as they all connect securely and efficiently through the same VPN tunnel.
Furthermore, these types of connections are not limited to a fixed network, but you can deploy them in different locations, allowing for greater flexibility. For example, if you manage sensors or cameras in different cities, they can all be securely connected to the same VPN network regardless of distance.
Because it improves your privacy
Another benefit of VPNs is the privacy they provide to your IoT devices. By masking the IP of devices, you not only increase security, but you also protect the identity of users or the location of devices, which is crucial for companies that handle sensitive data. This is particularly important when you work with public networks or in places where cybersecurity is weaker. Additionally, traffic from your devices cannot be easily monitored by service providers or potential attackers. It’s an extra step that can make the difference between a vulnerable network and a secure one.
The use of a VPN in IoT projects is not only recommended, it is a necessity in many cases. It provides an extra layer of security, helps reduce costs and facilitates the integration of multiple devices into the network. In a world where connectivity is essential and threats are the order of the day, having a VPN ensures that your network and devices are protected at all times. So, if you haven’t considered implementing it yet, it’s time to do so.
You have to differentiate well between VPN services like NordVPN, surfshark either PureVPN among others, which will allow us to go out to the Internet by hiding our public IP address, from a VPN server configured on our router or NAS to remotely access the local home network safely. In addition, both types of VPN could be combined without any problem, as long as your router supports this interesting functionality. ASUS routers, AVM and any router with support for VPN servers and clients will have this possibility.