VPNs 101 for SMBs: What They Do, When to Use Them, and Where Zero Trust Fits In

Quick take

A VPN (virtual private network) creates an encrypted “tunnel” between your device and a target network (home or corporate). It’s great for safely reaching company resources from the road and for limiting what websites learn about you. But it’s not a magic forcefield for your laptop on public Wi-Fi, and it doesn’t replace endpoint protection, MFA, or a zero-trust approach.

What is a VPN, really?

Think of your home or office as a private neighborhood (your network) where devices can talk to each other. When you’re away and need to “visit” that neighborhood—say, to reach a file server or line-of-business app—a VPN builds an encrypted tunnel from your device (Point A) to that network (Point B).

• Encrypted in transit: Traffic inside the tunnel is unreadable to eavesdroppers.

• Point-to-point: The protection covers A ↔ B. Anything outside that path isn’t shielded by the VPN.

Plain English: A VPN keeps prying eyes from reading the traffic you send to your company network or VPN endpoint. It doesn’t make your whole computer invisible on public Wi-Fi.

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Two common VPN use cases

1) Consumer VPNs (the “anonymizer” use)

Services like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN route your web traffic through their servers. Websites then see the VPN provider’s IP, not yours. People often use this for privacy or to appear as if they’re in another region.
Important: Your connection to the VPN is encrypted, but whatever you do after the VPN endpoint (e.g., browsing to a site) still depends on that site’s own security (HTTPS, etc.).

2) Corporate VPNs (secure remote access)

This is the bread-and-butter business use. Traveling employees connect into the company network through a VPN, and IT controls who can access what on the inside (specific servers, apps, or network segments).

• Encryption strength: Modern corporate VPNs typically use strong ciphers (the sweet spot balances performance and security).

• Access control: IT can say “this user gets Server A and Salesforce, but not Finance or Dev.”

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The public Wi-Fi trap (and why a VPN isn’t enough)

VPNs protect the tunnel, but your device can still be probed by others on the same coffee-shop network. That’s how attackers try to harvest credentials or drop malware.

Mitigate with:

• EDR/next-gen AV on every endpoint

• OS, browser, and firmware updates (firewalls, UTM appliances)

• MFA everywhere—especially for VPN and SaaS

• Least-privilege access—users only get what they need

Bottom line: Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi, but pair it with endpoint security and good hygiene.

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Beyond VPN: Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Zero trust flips the model from “network first” to “application-first, identity-verified, and device-aware.”

• Tile-based access: Users click approved apps (e.g., ADP, Salesforce, an intranet) instead of getting broad network access.

• Granular policy: Access is granted per user and per approved device. Same login on an unapproved laptop? No go.

• MFA & SSO: Strong authentication becomes the default, not the exception.

• Happier users, tighter control: More setup for IT, far less day-to-day friction for employees.

Think of ZTNA as “VPN with guardrails”—safer, more precise, and designed for the way we actually work now.

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Choosing a reliable VPN provider

While features can look similar, reliability is where providers differ:

• Uptime & speed: Consistent performance; tunnels shouldn’t randomly drop.

• Exit-node diversity: Multiple regions/cities to avoid slow or congested paths.

• Client quality: Stable apps for Windows/macOS/iOS/Android, with auto-connect and kill-switch options.

• Policy clarity: Especially for consumer VPNs—know how they handle logs and support.

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Best practices for SMBs

• Use cases first: Remote access to internal apps? Start with a corporate VPN or go straight to ZTNA.

• Enforce MFA: For VPN clients and all business apps. Non-negotiable.

• Segment access: Limit users to the servers/apps they actually need.

• Harden the edge: Keep your firewall/UTM firmware and security signatures up to date.

• Protect the endpoint: EDR, disk encryption, patching, least-privilege local accounts.

• Plan for home networks: Hybrid teams need protections that don’t assume a corporate LAN.

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What about securing the device on untrusted networks?

Even with a VPN, your device can be exposed to others on the same Wi-Fi. A lightweight, portable “personal edge” firewall can place a protective barrier around your laptop on any network (home, hotel, café), working alongside your VPN or ZTNA.
We’re excited about solutions in this category and will share more soon.

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FAQs

Does a VPN make me anonymous?
It hides your IP behind the VPN endpoint and encrypts your traffic to that endpoint, but websites, cookies, and logged-in accounts can still identify you.

Will a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?
Partially. It protects the tunnel to your VPN endpoint, not your device from local attackers. Pair it with EDR and good configuration.

Is ZTNA a VPN replacement?
Often, yes. ZTNA gives app-level access with identity and device checks. Many organizations use ZTNA to reduce broad network exposure.

What encryption should we use?
Modern defaults from reputable vendors are strong. Your MSP should balance cipher strength with performance for your environment.

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The takeaway

• Use VPNs for secure, encrypted access to company resources.

• Don’t stop there: Layer in endpoint security, MFA, and tight access controls.

• Consider ZTNA for a simpler, safer, app-centric model—especially for hybrid work.

• Harden home and public scenarios with device-level protections, not just tunnels.

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Need help deciding between VPN and Zero Trust?

Slick Cyber Systems designs, deploys, and manages secure remote-access solutions for SMBs—without the jargon. We’ll map your use cases, choose the right control model, and handle the rollout and training.

Let’s talk: Visit www.slickcybersystems.com