Five reasons why businesses should use Meshnet

Is NordVPN’s Meshnet important for businesses?

NordVPN’s Meshnet feature is important to businesses because it provides additional security for day-to-day online processes. In the most rudimentary terms, Meshnet works as your virtual private network (VPN), allowing you to encrypt your online traffic between connected devices and adding an extra layer of security. And that’s just one of its benefits.

Meshnet also allows its users to quickly and securely share files of any size without relying on other online file-sharing services. You can use Meshnet on different devices with remote device access, which is perfect for virtual network computing (accessing work computers from home or while traveling), expanding work flexibility without safety risks. And we’re just getting started.

Why should businesses use Meshnet in 2024

The main reason why businesses should use Meshnet in 2024 is simple: it strengthens online safety and digital privacy. But if that’s not enough, here are some other strong arguments.

Secure file access

Meshnet lets you connect up to 10 personal (and 50 external) devices into one network, allowing a quick and secure file-sharing process and access at any time (provided the destination server or PC is on and the user has an internet connection). After the user connects their computer to a designated mesh network, they can access the data in the destination server (or PC) without downloading it, making file sharing with Meshnet a piece of cake.

In practice, it could look like this: A business sets up a centralized storage server (or PC that holds important data) and creates a shared folder, all while using Meshnet. This PC then connects to all the Meshnet-linked employee computers. The folder becomes available to those employees only, allowing them to use remote device access to open and share files in the folder without data ever leaving its designated location.

It’s important to note that Meshnet alone, while useful, should not be your only security measure. Businesses can also take additional steps to safeguard their data vaults, such as correct user and permission configuration or password protection.

An alternative to a paid VPN service

What’s great about Meshnet is that it can work as a VPN server. Since Meshnet allows you to route your online traffic through other linked devices, you can use another linked computer’s IP address to browse the web, keeping your virtual location private from prying eyes.

For example, a business can set up one device or virtual private server (VPS) with a Meshnet connection, virtually making its own VPN server. The employees can then use traffic routing to get that device’s IP address and protect their online traffic while working with sensitive data. In addition, Meshnet uses a proprietary NordLynx protocol known for its speed and security, so you can be sure your online traffic will be in reliable hands.

To ensure more safety, limiting access and imposing clear restrictions on server users (such as introducing terms of use for employees) could also be beneficial strategies.

Simplified remote backups

Backing up important files is crucial for any business. After all, losing an invoice, contract, or other important document can cause significant problems down the road. With Meshnet, you can easily set up remote backup folders that synchronize your files without having to access the main backup, saving time and effort.

How does it work? First, you create a private network with Meshnet. Then, you choose an off-site device (such as the CEO’s home computer) to create a shared folder with the most important files. Since the CEO’s computer is linked with the employees' PCs through the encrypted Meshnet network tunnels, it becomes a backup device, allowing the personnel to access and update those files safely. Moreover, the files on the CEO’s backup folder will update automatically, with each edit being made to the original file (that is if Meshnet users have set up a Syncthing feature).

For extra safety, backups should only be available to a few employees, reducing the chance of unwanted changes or data leaks.

Remote support for employees

Dealing with IT issues can be exhausting and frustrating, especially when you’re unsure what you’re doing. But if your computer has Meshnet linked with the office IT support, it no longer has to be a nuisance.

Since Meshnet allows remote encrypted connections between multiple devices, IT technicians or system admins can use it to ease the connection to the employee computers and help solve IT problems. It helps save time and nerve cells, which, coincidentally, are the two things everyone at work likes to preserve the most.

Remote work on joint projects

Remote access with Meshnet allows the users to access each other’s connected devices, simplifying work on joint projects while keeping the shared traffic safe from prying eyes.

Using Meshnet, a team can effortlessly collaborate on numerous online projects (such as coding, debugging, or testing web applications), optimizing workflow and tracking the progress in real time. All it takes is to take the devices connected via Meshnet and use a collaborative integrated development environment (IDE).

How to get started with Meshnet

Meshnet is free and simple to use on many operating systems, so you won’t have any trouble trying it out. To set it up, first download the NordVPN app on all devices you want to link and navigate to the Meshnet menu.

To add other devices to a Meshnet network, click “Link external device.” The app will ask you to provide the email of the NordVPN account that belongs to the device you want to connect to.

Provide the required information and choose preferred permissions for the device. Once complete, click “Send invitation” and wait for your peer to confirm. The invitation will appear in the NordVPN app’s Meshnet menu under the “Invitations” section. For more detailed information, consider checking out the official Meshnet linking guide or the full Meshnet documentation.