A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure connection that creates a private tunnel between your device and the internet. It encrypts your data and hides your real IP address by routing traffic through servers in different locations. For businesses running digital ad campaigns, VPNs play an important role in both security and click fraud prevention.
How a VPN protects your business
When you connect to a VPN, your real IP address becomes masked behind the VPN server's address. This encryption and IP masking helps protect your business data from cybercriminals and malware.
VPNs also make it harder for competitors to track your ad testing or spy on your campaigns. By changing your apparent location, you can see exactly how your ads appear in different geographic markets.
VPNs can be harmful too
Many online businesses rely on the user data that their users voluntarily give them when logging onto their site. If this user data is manipulated, in some way, then the business can suffer.
A good example of this is as follows. If you are on a website then that website will be able to see your IP address and location, allowing it to show you ads targeted to the region you are in.
If a user disguises their IP address with a VPN to make it seem like they are in Brazil, for example, then they will receive ads that align with their apparent location.
The above can lead to click fraud — you could receive a ton of engagement from people who appear to be in Brazil and, in doing so, you may be led to invest more in Brazilian-centric products. During the days and weeks that follow these investments, though, you would fail to receive any new growth, since that traffic was from the U.S.
A VPN can be a wonderful tool for protecting your data. But, advertising data can be distorted, and ad fraud can occur, when your users use VPNs to access your website.
Choosing a business VPN
When selecting a VPN for your business, several key factors matter:
- Server locations in your target markets
- Strong encryption protocols
- No-logs policies to ensure privacy
- Fast connection speeds that won't slow down work
- Multiple simultaneous connections for your team
- Business-specific features like dedicated IP addresses
VPNs and ad campaign monitoring
Using a VPN can help you monitor your ad campaigns more effectively. You can check if your ads display correctly in different regions and verify your geo-targeting settings are working.
However, be aware that some ad platforms may restrict VPN access. Always review platform policies regarding VPN usage when managing campaigns.
Security best practices
Even with a VPN, maintaining good security practices is essential. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep your VPN software updated.
Regular security audits help ensure your VPN is properly configured and protecting your business data effectively.
