Why Remote Workers Need a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server, protecting your data from interception on unsecured networks. For remote workers, VPNs serve two distinct purposes: security (protecting sensitive work data on public Wi-Fi and home networks) and access (connecting to company resources as if you were on the company network).
Most corporate VPNs provided by employers are designed for access, not necessarily optimized for daily use. This guide covers both corporate VPN best practices and the best personal VPNs for remote workers who work on public Wi-Fi or want additional privacy protection.
Corporate VPNs: Using Your Employer VPN Correctly
If your employer provides a VPN, always connect to it when accessing company resources - email, internal tools, code repositories, cloud storage. Most corporate VPNs use Cisco AnyConnect, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, or WireGuard-based solutions. Enable auto-connect on untrusted networks in your VPN settings.
Note: corporate VPNs typically route all your traffic through your employer network, meaning your employer can see your browsing activity while connected. Use personal devices and personal VPNs for personal browsing.
Personal VPNs for Remote Workers
Mullvad VPN
Best for privacy: Mullvad requires no email to sign up - you get an account number and pay anonymously. $5/month flat rate. WireGuard protocol is fast. Strong no-logs policy independently audited. Best choice if privacy is your primary concern.
ProtonVPN
Best for trust: Made by the same team as ProtonMail. Switzerland-based, strong legal protections, independently audited no-logs policy. Free tier available (limited servers and speed). Paid plans: $5-10/month. Strong for remote workers who want maximum trustworthiness.
NordVPN
Best for speed: Largest server network, consistently fast speeds globally. Good for remote workers who need fast connections in many different countries. $3-7/month on annual plans. NordLayer (business version) is designed for remote teams.
ExpressVPN
Best for ease of use: Simple interface, reliable in restrictive countries (China, UAE), strong speed. More expensive than alternatives ($7-13/month) but most user-friendly option for less technical remote workers.
When to Use a VPN
- Always: On coffee shop, hotel, airport, or any public Wi-Fi
- Always: When traveling internationally and accessing company resources
- Recommended: On home networks when handling sensitive client data
- Required by policy: Follow your employer VPN policy for company resources
VPN Setup Best Practices
Enable "kill switch" in your VPN settings - this blocks all traffic if the VPN drops, preventing accidental data exposure. Use split tunneling to route work traffic through VPN while personal traffic goes direct (faster). WireGuard protocol is significantly faster than OpenVPN for most use cases - enable it in settings.