When COVID-19 struck, companies were forced to shut down but most preferred to send their employees to work from home in accordance with health regulations.
For the company, this meant that operations went on as normal but employees were thrown into a foreign working environment that they were not used to.In an office setup, you didn’t have to worry much about cybersecurity. After all, you had an IT department.
There has however been a spike in cyber attacks and WHO reported that they increased fivefold since the start of Pandemic. Unfortunately, many of the affected parties are remote workers.
How can you save your job by keeping your work devices secure? Here are 5 security hacks to make remote working easier.
Acquaint Yourself With Basic Security Knowledge
Are you aware of the most common phishing scams? Who should you contact in the vent of an unusual security anomaly? Equip yourself with basic security advice so that you don’t fall prey to cybersecurity criminals.
Some of the basic knowledge you should adhere to include:
- Avoid clicking on links from external sources.
- Beware of phishing emails
- Avoid installing third-party apps from unverified sources
This will help you to protect your work devices.
Guarantee Your Privacy With A VPN
VPNs provide an additional layer of security by masking your IP address and encrypting data being transferred. It ensures that as you move data from your device into your organization’s core systems, it is secure from unauthorized access.
Most organizations usually have VPNs in place so be sure to check with your company. If you have to purchase the VPN yourself, be sure to conduct leak test to make sure it is secure. Here’s a review on PureVPN logs and logging.
Secure Your Home Network
Home wifi networks are rarely very secure. You’ve probably shared your password with the neighbors and guests, giving them access to your home network. If you’re using this network as you work remotely then it’s time to crank up the security and the first step is changing your password.
Most companies connect their workers to a corporate VPN but that also means that all your internet traffic is directed to your company’s servers. Securing your network keeps your browsing history private and still protects your device.
Keep Your Software Updated
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems and is used by more than 75 million websites. The shocking truth however is that these sites are most prone to hacking and most of these breaches are caused by plugin vulnerabilities.
Keep all your devices software updated and if you have access to your company’s WordPress site, make sure all the plugins are updated.
Secure Your Device As You Work From Home
A remote working environment may be convenient but you also have to protect yourself from security breaches. Read up on the basic security advice and ensure your security with a VPN or secure home network. By protecting the security of your device, you’ll be ultimately protecting your job.
