If you didn’t know by now, working from home makes you vulnerable to hackers. Attacks have become more sophisticated, so it’s easy for cybercriminals to get their hands on corporate data. Malicious actors can steal sensitive information, which can be used for orchestrating ransomware attacks. In the home environment, you’re less protected than in the office. There are steps you can take to limit the risk, though. Cybersecurity in the home office is up to you. Even if you’re using a PC offered by your employer, it’s up to you to protect your data.
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Don’t Do Work Tasks on Your Home Laptop
It’s crucial to set boundaries between your work life and home life, especially when telecommuting. If you carry out work tasks on your home laptop, you risk jeopardising sensitive business data if your PC lacks the proper security. It’s improbable your boss has assigned someone from the team to keep an eye on what you do on the laptop. Cybercriminals, on the other hand, will keep track of your every move through your computer. They’ll steal passwords, delete files, and make the device inoperable. One laptop being hacked is enough to compromise the organisation’s entire structure.
If your employer gives you a smartphone to use, keep your personal data off that device. More precisely, don’t synchronise your at-home web browsing with your smartphone. You should have two separate phones. If you want to take things one step further, use different browsers for work and personal tasks. You don’t have to switch back and forth between accounts on the same browser window. If you use Google Chrome, you can add Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or another browser to your taskbar. Advertising companies will find it impossible to track your information.
Back Up Digital Documents
Threat actors may compromise digital assets. In the absence of data backup, the business risks losing its investors and customers, and it can even go into bankruptcy. If any file is lost, it can be detrimental to the organisation. This is why you should have a secure archive of your important information. You can restore your device fast and seamlessly during a data breach. You should use a portable hard drive that doesn’t require external power. If you don’t want to use something like Google Drive, Dropbox, and so on, it’s a perfect choice.
Don’t Postpone Updates
The longer you delay an update, the bigger the security flaw becomes. Malicious activity can easily slip through. Install the latest software as soon as possible. At present, modern devices automatically apply updates, but it’s still necessary to restart the computer to finalise the patching process. If you install the updates, you can avoid dire infection. There are no bugs that cybercriminals can exploit, so you don’t fall victim to attacks. Pay close attention to notifications you receive for software updates, especially if you use a single device to manage work and your personal life.
Your operating system isn’t the only thing that can be exploited. Hackers can take advantage of the vulnerability in your web browser to carry out malicious actions. Make sure you have the most recent version. You’ll enjoy all the available security features. A compromised web browser will make your information public and allow for the download of spyware that can capture passwords and screenshots. Web browsers such as Google Chrome are set to update themselves automatically, so the latest versions are installed as quickly as they’re released. You might have trouble updating the Chrome browser on your phone.
Install Antivirus Software
Cybercriminals can compromise data by exploiting the vulnerabilities existent in the system and uploading a virus. A virus will damage programs, delete files, and even erase the hard drive. You need antivirus software to work safe. Norton offers protection from viruses, spyware, ransomware, trojans, and many more. You ought to run scans several times a week to make sure nothing has managed to sneak into your laptop. If your infection can’t get removed, Norton will give you a full refund. However, it’s unlikely that the Norton experts won’t be able to solve the problem.
Norton security is highly rated for its effectiveness. The same goes for all plans. You must understand that installing the antivirus software is just the first step to securing your computer. To get the most out of your antivirus, you need to turn on real-time protection. If Auto-Protect is turned off, the program won’t proactively detect security risks. Equally important is to update the antivirus software. As long as your subscription is valid, you’ll receive security updates that will protect you.
Get A Virtual Private Network
A virtual private network (VPN) adds a layer of protection to your online activities by establishing an encrypted connection between and the Internet. You can work from public locations like coffee shops. Using a VPN allows you to access work files, information, and services safely. Threat actors on the same network can’t see the data transmitted to and from your laptop. A VPN reduces the risk of MITM attacks, which are attempts at exploitation. Communication is intercepted to steal login credentials or personal information. Targets are users of financial apps, eCommerce websites, and SaaS businesses. A VPN closes down most of the spaces that can be attacked.
Use Enterprise Services for Email
IT services are provided to businesses of all sizes. If your organisation pays for professional email accounts, why don’t you take advantage of that? The service is configured by the IT department according to strict security guidelines. To maintain control over business correspondence, you need a professional email account. Yet again, back up important files. Just imagine what it would be like to lose agreements in the event of security mischief. Keep a backup of your contacts in an Excel spreadsheet.
All in all, your organisation’s IT department won’t assume responsibility for protecting you outside the office. Create strong passwords, use multi-factor authentication, and perform regular software updates. Cybersecurity is your responsibility. Apply the knowledge you’ve learned in this article. Better yet, look up other cybersecurity tips.
