In this article, let us talk about the work from home safety tips for online security you need to know.
Work from Home Cyber Security Tips
Take steps to secure a home network
You will be using the Internet a lot while working from home. In fact, you will likely be using the Internet more than you do at your office.
You need to make sure that your home network is secured against intruders. Consider the following steps to ensure that your home network is protected:
Use a firewall
A firewall is one of the basic security measures for your home network. It keeps out intruders and hackers from accessing your PC or laptop. If you don’t have a firewall, install one.
Protect your Wi-Fi connection
Wireless routers are convenient for home PC users, but they make it easy for others to access your network. Use a password to protect your wireless router and change it regularly.
Also, disable the SSID broadcast feature on your router. So, other people cannot find it by just scanning for Wi-Fi signals in the neighborhood.
Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is another useful tool to protect your online security while working from home.
It hides your IP address and encrypts all data sent over public networks through private servers.
Disable services and software you don’t need
You don’t need to run an instant messaging program or a desktop sharing service if you are working from home. Disable these programs and services to protect your online security.
In addition, turn off the autorun feature for any CD or flash drive that you might plug into your computer. It will prevent any malicious code from infecting your computer.
Back up your data regularly
It is important that you back up your work files frequently. If your computer is ever infected with malware or becomes infected with a virus, you can restore your data from a backup file.
Change passwords regularly
Passwords should be different for each site you visit and each account that you have.
Don’t use the same password for your bank account as you do for Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other website or service.
A strong password should be at least eight characters long and should combine letters, numbers, and symbols in random order.
It should not contain any personal information about you like birth date, name of a pet, or someone’s name.
Keep close contact with your IT department
Some small businesses and most home-based small businesses hire a third-party IT provider to handle the infrastructure, systems, and technology needs.
If you are using such a service for your business, be sure to keep in close contact with the IT department. They will be able to help you in case of any cyber attack or security breach.
Keep your software and operating system up to date
Install any patches or updates that you receive from your operating system provider. Also, use security software that comes with your PC or laptop.
This software will help keep your computer safe from viruses and malware.
Social engineering attacks are among the most common online scams today.
These online frauds generally attempt to trick their victims into handing over sensitive personal information by pretending to be someone trustworthy.
Someone could try to trick you into revealing sensitive information by asking you to provide it on the phone or by emailing it to them.
