Since remote work is here to stay, it’s critical to have a secure home network, adhere to cybersecurity best practices, and take the necessary safety measures. These ten cybersecurity suggestions for home-based workers explain how to protect your equipment and data against scammers, hackers, and other bad actors. This advice can be helpful whether you’re an employee who works remotely for your company or a business owner who wants to ensure that your staff members are secure.
- Employees may occasionally need to utilize their own devices for work. And in some of the organizations, a practice known as BYOD (bring your own device) permits employees to use their own devices for work (BYOD). Employees may have security patches in their systems, which can draw cyber attackers, thus this could also be risky. In the end, it is still better to use a different device for leisure and from work.
- You may significantly lower the risk of a virus infecting your equipment by installing security software, such as antivirus software, on your personal devices. Regular updates from the top antivirus programs ensure that you are shielded from the most recent dangers. However, reliable security software also has additional advantages. For instance, by offering network protection, it can assist in defending your devices from phishing attempts and tech support frauds.
- Ensure that the operating system and application updates on your devices are current. These nearly usually include security upgrades.
- Get rid of fake browser add-ons, which are frequently used for online shopping since they can download malware or steal data.
- Make sure to backup all of your critical work documents, research, data, and files. You don’t want the report you’ve been working on for months to be destroyed by virus on your home laptop. Making backups of your work and uploading them to one of the several businesses that offer cloud storage is a wise decision. You might even get access to a company-wide cloud backup site using your employer’s technology.
- Employees who operate remotely must have access to a secure network. However, there may be situations where they must utilize public WiFi while traveling for work. Utilizing a VPN may be the best choice in this situation. A distant worker can encrypt the web connection using a VPN with an unidentified network to guarantee data protection. Employees can then be guaranteed to safeguard the confidentiality of their laptops from any nefarious actions. The privacy of a VPN user cannot be threatened by anyone, not even the Internet service provider.
- Have a list of IT contacts that each employee is familiar with, along with their office hours, so they may call in case of an emergency. It is preferable to learn of a potential breach right away rather than the following morning.
- Targeted phishing attempts have become more common as the number of gig economy employees working remotely from home has increased. Such workers are prey to con artists. Additionally, as WFH cultures spread throughout many organizations, their personnel may become easy pickings for con artists. While employers must educate their staff on how to recognize any phishing traps or con games that pose a risk to their company’s data.
- You must adjust your routine when working from home. A part of that is making sure you’re secure online. But it also entails planning your day to be productive and staying in touch with your colleagues. If you’re accustomed to wishing your coworkers a good morning in the morning, you may think about doing so via email or a chat platform instead.
- Even from people you know, be wary of odd requests such as those to submit a wire transfer. There have been numerous examples of phishing emails that purport to be from company executives or other individuals but are not. Call the requestor and inquire about the authenticity of the email if it sounds odd or out of character (for example, “I’ve been here for three years and have never received an email from the CEO, but I did today”).
By implementing these suggestions, you can operate remotely during these challenging times without worrying about the security of your company’s and your personal data. Be cautious.
