Every business owner must prioritize cybersecurity to ensure the full-fledged protection of their customer and corporate data. The outbreak of COVID-19 forced companies to go fully remote, which is why cybersecurity has become more than an important thing! Therefore, to sustain top-notch operational security, remote workers should do their respective jobs to impede mistakes, which could result in data contraventions. However, everyone predicts that remote work has already become a norm and will be prevalent throughout several sectors even after the pandemic. Therefore, remote work security is important!
Working from home or remote working is beneficial, but it fetches a wide array of cybersecurity menaces for businesses. However, it has been surveyed that approximately 36 million people will work remotely by 2025, and there will be an 87% surge in working from home. Because of that, it’s imperative to be serious about work-from-home security! Therefore, by following these 7 cybersecurity tips for remote work, you can easily mitigate most of the perils.
- Use websites with SSL certificates to surf
SSL certificate is a crucial part of cybersecurity and makes your business more protected in the eyes of your customers. Therefore, while working remotely, you must consider this and protect your site with SSL; if not, customers will never want to surf your site or make a purchase. The biggest role of an SSL certificate is to encrypt the intuitive details submitted by your end users to your website through contact forms or any other source.
Having an SSL certificate
installed on your site lowers the threat of sensitive details getting confiscated by hackers. Simply put, surfing a site with an SSL certificate helps enable protected communication between the two engaged parties online. Hence, this is an essential Work from home security tip.
- Install a top-notch VPN and antivirus tools
The most crucial thing for every remote worker to do is lock down their connection steadfastly. However, it’s not sufficient to count on Windows’ own security software when the stakes are higher.
Alternatively, you can invest in antivirus software and tangible VPN, which are daily updated and given by a trustworthy organization. VPNs encipher the data you send and obtain and shield your online presence. Hence, they also anonymize your online presence, making it cumbersome for attackers to find out.
Antivirus security software is the cutting-edge in combatting malware. However, some renowned tools themselves support crypto mining software. Hence, you need to be wary and opt for apps focusing on security alone.
- Pay close attention to network security and Wi-Fi
Safeguarding your home network is up to you whether you utilize your employer’s devices or not. You need to boost your home office security by safeguarding your network. In case your Wi-Fi needs a password, it would be a great start!
In case not, it would be better to access your router settings to change this. However, to access your router settings, search the IP address written on the router, type it in the web browser, and sign in. Also, an attacker could get fast access to your web traffic and devices through the router.
- Protect your webcam when it’s not in use
The best remote work security is to protect your webcam when it’s not in use. Some scathing attacks have involved hacking webcams to accumulate information, occasionally extorting cash from targets, and recording meetings. However, using a remote working app like Zoom is inescapable, but it’s recommended not to expose your camera while discussions aren’t taking place.
Malware can sway your camera without your understanding, but you can lower that threat by using pieces of tape or sliding webcam covers. You might contemplate using external cameras, which can disable and unplug the camera on your PC. This is how you will have a physical evoke to immerse you in security.
- Never share confidential information on social media or in private chats
As you’re using remote working tools to communicate with your team, it would be better not to share any private details in emails or messages. It might be another form of phishing! Not sharing such private details is imperative for work from home security. However, if any personal information was asked, please make sure the request is from a known person.
It’s one of the most vital cyber security risks to share images of your remote work equipment on social media as you may unknowingly share vital details. However, the same things go with using the webcam. These webcams may also jeopardize the privacy of the family members.
- Create a remote work policy for your team
In case you’re a business owner or remote team supervisor, creating an effective remote working policy would be better to aid your team in risk management. You might also consider giving them fruitful training in cyber incident response to cope with any cyber threats that might endanger them. However, it would be best if to cover the below-mentioned topics:
- Data protection
- Information disposal
- Compliance needs
- Substitute work sites
- Security of the Information systems
- Media storage and backup
- Utilize a centralized storage solution
If your organization counts on server storage or cloud, you must ensure that all your employees use this solution. Suppose you feel the remote workers are not familiar with your storage service or continue to preserve files locally. In that case, you need to interact with them to ensure they’re well-conversant with the centralized service.
When the local files are destroyed, compromised, or lost, you will have a backup of essential documentation. However, this strategy also implies vital documents are secure as they will be safeguarded by the firewall adhered to your centralized storage solution.
- Oversharing Screen:
Do not leave your online screen unnecessarily open as it can cause privacy issues. You may share the content that you do not want to share with the audience. Turn off sharing option when you do not need it.
Alert! It is a Phishing:
Phishing is an online crime and it makes innocent users victims and lures them to click on a suspicious link. Such links direct them to a malicious page where users share their credentials unknowingly. When you are doing remote work, you should be wary about the links coming in email. If your employer has set up any system for reporting phishing emails then, report on such emails. It will help the organization to block such IDs for future reference.
Sharing Personal Information:
Do not share your personal information on unauthorized platforms or social media. Hackers always search for such information and contact them to grab more details about users. When someone asks for personal information, always check its legitimacy before sharing personal information. Do not share your image of remote working on social media, as it will expose your current location to outsiders. Keep the webcam off when not in use as hackers can use it for malicious purposes.
Conclusion
Remote work security has become a hot topic due to the insurgence of global working from home. Therefore, by following these top 7 work-from-home security tips above, companies and solopreneurs can bypass the potential risks and establish safety. Do you like this article? Make sure to like and share, and follow to stay tuned!
