Telecommuting is now the order of the day since it provides comfort and ease of working from home. However, this shift also poses specific security risks in the cybersecurity field. Hackers have a weakness for remote employees, primarily because they are not as protected as office personnel.
Here are eight basic tips guidelines that can assist in protection when working from home.
Table of Contents
1. Secure Your Home Network
The home network is the entry point to all the connected devices and is thus an attractive target for hackers. Begin with changing the default username and password of your router. Default credentials are often public domains and may be retrieved easily by the attackers hence giving them the access they desire. It is recommended to use a powerful, non-standard password containing letters of different cases, numbers, and characters. Also, allow WPA3 security if your router supports it as it is the most secure encryption protocol. This is the newest and most effective method of securing wireless networks connection from eavesdropping.
However, going a notch higher, you should consider implementing segmentation in your home network. This way, your working devices will be in a different network from the other devices you have in your home thus enhancing security. This way, even if one of those devices gets infected with malware, your work devices will not be at risk. From time to time, look for firmware updates for your router because router manufacturers are likely to release updates to fix security issues.
2. Keep Software Updated
Software updates are usually accompanied by patches to various security issues. One of the basic things that any user should do is to make sure that the operating system, antivirus, browsers, and other programs used are updated. Almost all devices and applications come with an auto-update option; enable this to always be protected without having to remember.
It is not only about operating systems and anti-virus programs. Make sure that all the software, starting with less popular applications, is updated. Hackers can easily penetrate organizations’ networks through the weaknesses exposed by old applications. Besides, when downloading the software, it is recommended to use only official links, and not the pirated versions, as they can contain the virus. In some cases, it is possible to enable automatic updates to make sure the protection is up to date.
3. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
The most important tool that one needs to use when carrying out any activity online is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN protects your connection to the internet and hackers cannot easily get hold of your data. In evaluating VPN service providers, security is a critical factor that you should consider; this includes the encryption standard used, the logging policy of the VPN service, and the available customer support. These are the factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding how to choose a VPN provider, namely connection speed, servers’ locations, and other users’ feedbacks.
Besides protecting your internet connection, VPNs also assist you in maintaining anonymity because they hide your IP address. This is especially important when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, which are the most dangerous ones. It is recommended to connect to your VPN every time you want to use any resource related to work or any sensitive data. Make sure your VPN service provider does not record your usage history because this could be a security threat.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a security measure that comes with an additional layer of security apart from the password. This could be a pin sent to your phone, a fingerprint or a piece of hardware such as a token. If by any chance the hacker gets your password he or she will still require the second factor to access your accounts. Activate 2FA for all your accounts that offer the feature, especially, email, banking, and corporate accounts.
It is also advised to use an authentication app instead of SMS-based 2FA for better protection. Interception and redirection of the SMS messages can be easily done by the attackers through SIM swapping. Applications such as Google Authenticator or Authy, are more secure since they produce the codes on your device. Make it a habit to check and modify your 2FA settings to make sure they are properly set up.
5. Be Wary of Phishing Attacks
Phishing refers to an act of fraudulently attempting to acquire users’ information through disguising as a genuine organization. These attacks frequently occur in the form of an email or message from the sender that seems to be from a known source like your bank or employer. Do not open emails or messages that are from unknown people or those that request personal details or make you click on a link. This is because in most cases, the sender of the message is not who you think they are, and the links or messages they are sending are a scam. Implement email filtering tools to assist in the recognition as well as the prevention of phishing scams.
To go even further in your protection, study the different techniques of the phishing. Phishing emails may contain words like ‘urgent,’ ‘free,’ ‘congratulations,’ ‘warning,’ ‘important,’ ‘favour,’ ‘gift,’ poor grammar, and spelling mistakes, and informal salutations. The mouse pointer changes over links to show the real address when the mouse is clicked. If an email is supposedly from a company that you patronize, do not click on a link in the e-mail to get to the company’s website, instead type the address in the browser manually. Make sure you and all your family members know how to identify phishing scams.
6. Secure Your Devices
The computers you use at home – laptops, mobiles, tablets, and others – have to be protected to avoid hacking. Secure your gadgets by using passwords or in some cases, biometrics to help you lock your devices. Use reliable antivirus programs and run the scanner as often as possible so the presence of viruses may be identified. Furthermore, encrypt your hard drive so that in case you lose your device or it gets stolen, your data is safe.
Think about allowing for the wiping of data on lost or stolen devices if it has not been done already. This feature enables you to wipe all the data on your device if it gets lost or stolen. Always make a backup of your data so that you do not lose data in case you have to wipe a device remotely. Do not use public charging points as they have the potential to introduce malware into your device through what is known as juice jacking.
7. Backup Your Data Regularly
Data can be lost through hacking, physical damage to the storage units, or by someone or something deleting the information. Data backup makes it possible to retrieve your data in case of an occurrence of an event that leads to loss of data. It is recommended to use local as well as cloud backup to ensure the redundancy of the storage system. Configure the automatic backup option so that your data will be safe without having to be reminded to back up your files.
Backup the data and make sure that they are encrypted especially when dealing with sensitive data. This ensures that even if the backup medium is intercepted the data is not easily accessible to the wrong people. Always conduct a trial run to check on the functionality of the backups and whether you can easily restore your data. Consider following the 3-2-1 backup rule: back up your data and store the backups in two different media; store one of the backups at a different location.
8. Educate Yourself and Your Family
Cyber security is not a one-time activity but a process that must be done on a regular basis with the help of experts. Cybersecurity news and resources should be followed to know the current threats and practices. It is also important to explain to your family members about cybersecurity if they also use your home network and devices. Explain to them the common scams, how to create a good password and how to protect their devices.
It is advisable for a family to develop a family cybersecurity policy. Explain general guidelines of using the internet safely, the significance of software update, and how to deal with the potentially unsafe emails or messages. Promote the sharing of information regarding cybersecurity threats and occurrences. Consult trustworthy sources like the National Cyber Security Alliance or the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to learn more about the current best practices in cybersecurity and new trends.
Conclusion
Telecommuting is an advantage to many people, but it comes with certain risks that need to be managed. Incorporating these eight measures will help minimize the likelihood of cyber threats and protect your information. Lastly, let me reiterate that cyber security is everyone’s responsibility; be security conscious and incorporate security in your day to day activities.
Following the above steps, you will be in a position to design a safer home working environment. So, to protect oneself and one’s organization, it is important to remain educated and aware of the current and future cyber threats. Be safe, be aware, and work remotely.