Did you know that every fourth professional job in North America will become remote until the end of 2022?
While working from home comes with many benefits, there are also certain security threats you have to take into account.
This guide lists the top tips to improve your internet safety and privacy. Learn what you should do to minimize the risk of cyber threats.
Top 5 Work-from-Home Safety Tips for Online Security
If you’re working from home, you’re most likely saving your personal or your company’s sensitive data on your computer.
The simplest cyberattack, such as a phishing email you may get, can potentially damage important files and lead to a data leak or, worse, identity theft.
Here are some tips for you on how to prevent that from happening.
- Make Sure You Are the Only One Using Work Devices
Your first task is to cover the basics, and that’s distinguishing work from home devices. No one except you should have access to your work computer or laptop.
This especially includes your family members and young children since even the slightest mistake can expose sensitive info to cybercriminals.
Besides that, we strongly recommend activating automatic updates for your operating system.
Use a supported OS and update it to the latest version. By doing that, you’ll have the latest security patches that would prevent exploiting potential vulnerabilities.
- Activate VPN on All Your Devices
Virtual private networks have become an integral part of internet privacy and safety.
VPNs route the entire traffic via an alternative server and encrypt information to prevent cybercriminals from getting details about your internet activity.
The experts recommend using a VPN across all your devices, especially if you occasionally use a mobile phone to access business emails or other information.
It’s easy to learn what a VPN is on iPhone and activate it in minutes. Premium VPN platforms offer fast and reliable servers, as well as comprehensive security features, making them a smart investment.
- Activate Passwords and 2-Factor Authentication
Start by locking your laptops and PCs with a password that you only know.
However, you have to make sure it’s a strong password rather than “12345678” or something similar.
Create a unique password for every business-related platform, and social media used to communicate with colleagues, emails, etc.
The good thing is that most services offer 2-factor authentication, requiring you to enter a password and then confirm your login with a smartphone or another device. It’s another way to protect sensitive data in your accounts from unwanted access.
A bonus tip is to install a reputable password manager to keep all your passwords in one place.
- Invest in an Antivirus
You may even opt for a whole protection package that includes antivirus, spyware, and malware protection tools. Many cybersecurity suites come with optimization features to prevent access to suspicious websites.
They’ll even alert you if you are about to open a suspicious file and put it in a chest before you confirm it’s secure.
However, the best thing you can do is avoid opening suspicious links yourself. As a rule of thumb, any link that ends up in your email is not worth clicking on unless you know the sender yourself.
Another tip is to avoid visiting websites that aren’t related to your business tasks while on the work device.
- Protect Your Home Network
Experienced hackers can exploit your home Wi-Fi network to get sensitive data.
However, you can boost its security by adjusting the router’s settings.
Here is what you should do:
- Change the default password for the network. A new password should be a strong combination of upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.
- Pick a random name for your network. Don’t use anything that might associate with you, your business, or your household.
- Enable network encryption. Pick WPA2 if the hardware offers that option. Alternatively, WPA and WEP are also acceptable.
Final Thoughts
Taking time to boost your online security is a smart investment when working from home. You’ll feel at peace knowing you did everything to protect the network from cyber criminals and potential breaches.
Always remember staying safe online is an ongoing effort. Don’t let your guard down, and remember to use strong passwords, update the newest versions of OS, and install antivirus and VPN. All tools combined will guarantee you strong protection against hackers and breaching.
