Why Every Business Should Consider Using Proxies for Online Security

Cyber threats… they still loom large. In fact, the World Economic Forum in 2023 put cybercrime on the top 10 global risks list. While it's the first time it was included in the list, it's a testament to cyberattacks' frequency and sophistication in recent years. So, what does that mean for businesses? Well, it's the potential for data breaches, financial losses, and even reputational damage – the same old but still devastating cyberattack consequences.

Now, what can businesses do about it? One solution to consider is the use of proxies. They're systems or routers that act as intermediaries between the device you're using and the online services platforms like websites that you access.

The purpose of proxies is to provide an extra layer of protection. How do they do that? By facilitating secure and anonymous browsing. As a result, malicious actors will find it challenging to track your activities online, lessening their chance of gaining unauthorized access to your systems.

Do proxies sound interesting to you? Read on for a deep dive into their specific benefits.

Privacy and anonymity enhancement

As a business owner, you surely want to browse the web with a greater sense of confidentiality. And it makes sense because you want to protect your company's valuable data, right? Proxies, like VPNs, can help you with that. They mask your IP address. Some of them can even encrypt your internet traffic.

Basically, what proxies do is make it difficult for the prying eyes of cybercriminals to track what you do online. And you'd be glad to know that it's easy to find promo codes for VPNs and proxies on the Web if you want to start being anonymous when navigating your way on different browsers without breaking the bank.

Cyber threat protection

Of course, another common reason for using proxies is protection from hacking, identity theft, and other cyber threats. With cybercrime in 2024 expected to cost more than USD$450 billion, you'd really want to avoid getting targeted by malicious activities online. Proxies help by shielding your IP address from cybercriminals. You can then be confident that your financial records and customers' data are safe as you browse the Web.

Geographical restrictions bypass

The world has become interconnected, thanks to the Internet. Still, it's common to encounter geographical restrictions when you try to access certain online resources from other regions on the Web. Should you just do away with that idea? You can, but as a business owner, it could be inevitable. Maybe you'd like to access a wider talent pool and tap professionals from other countries. Or your business operates in global markets, conducting market research and engaging with partners and customers across various parts of the globe.

That's where proxies come in and offer great help. They allow business owners to bypass geographical restrictions safely. Now, you won't have to worry about charting unknown waters on the internet.

Sensitive data and information safeguarding

We've mentioned in the previous section that proxies help protect a business's valuable data by masking IP addresses and encrypting internet traffic. But did you know that proxies can also help you control access to your networks, limiting exposure to potential data breaches?

Forty-two million records were believed to have been exposed to breaches from March 2021 to February 2022, but proxies can act as gatekeepers for you. It means that they can monitor and filter internet traffic, allowing business owners to detect and block suspicious activities before potential threats can successfully break in and steal sensitive data away.

IP blocking and blacklisting mitigation

Some businesses perform web scraping to gain valuable insights and information. The problem is that it can lead to IP blocking and blacklisting even when done ethically. Proxies offer a solution. How? By allowing you to rotate your IP addresses. Rotating proxies allows users to a new proxy in case one IP address gets blocked or blacklisted. It ensures that you can continue your operations seamlessly.

One can't go wrong with leveraging proxies if the goal is to bolster the online security posture of a business and navigate the digital landscape's challenges effectively.

Conclusion

We're living in an increasingly digitized world. It means that if you're a business owner, your priority list shouldn't only include things that make your brand grow but also steps to improve online security. If you're looking for something that provides extra defense to your business, check out proxies. They can help safeguard your business's valuable data by ensuring confidential communications when navigating the Web.

Looking ahead, one can expect proxies to offer more advanced capabilities as technology continues to advance. It means that it could more effectively thwart sophisticated cyber threats in the future, providing even greater security and anonymity.