7 Cybersecurity Tips To Work From Home
If you work from home, you might be more vulnerable to cyberattacks than your co-workers in an office. You’re also more likely to skip security measures because they’re inconvenient or feel like overkill. But with a few simple steps and technology investments, protecting your devices at home can be as easy as staying safe on the road. Here are cybersecurity tips for staying safe while working from home:
Tip #1: Have Antivirus and Security Software
There is no better way to protect yourself and your data than with antivirus software. Antivirus software can detect, remove, and prevent malware.
Tip #2: Protect All Devices
All devices, especially those owned and controlled by employees, should be protected. Ensure all access points are protected by implementing mobile device management, multifactor authentication, quality passwords, and security threat prevention on both company-owned and staff devices.
Tip #3: Lock Machines That Aren’t In Use
It’s important to lock your computer when you step away from it, even for a few minutes. This prevents unauthorized access to any files or information stored on the device.
Tip #4: Use a VPN
This is one of the most important things you can do for your online security. A VPN will encrypt all your internet traffic and route it through a secure connection to another network before sending it back to your device. This makes it much harder for hackers to access any information they may try to steal from you while snooping around on the web looking for passwords or credit card numbers.
Tip #5: Manage Access and Identity
Managing identities and access is the first step in securing your data. Entities should require strong passwords, be authenticated when connecting remotely, enforce multifactor authentication for high-risk activities, and provide two-factor authentication for all users.
Tip #6: Offer Security Training and Periodic Reminders
A good way to keep everyone on the same page is to set up reminders for employees to use their security tools. You should also provide regular security training for employees to know what tools are available and how best to use them. As part of these sessions, discuss why all employees need to participate in WFH cybersecurity efforts.
Tip #7: Use Safe Business-Oriented Software
A lot of people use free software because they think it’s better than paid software, but that’s not always true. When it comes to cybersecurity, it pays to buy the good stuff! You’ll get more features and better protection against viruses and malware with licensed programs. Security experts have vetted these programs and are much less likely to have bugs that hackers can exploit
Everyone is susceptible to threats from the internet. The best way to control your cybersecurity efforts is to recognize the dangers you face and then make informed choices about how to mitigate them. Armed with this information, you can be proactive about your security and avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime when remote working.
