Working from home can be a great way to save on commuting costs, but it also comes with its own set of security risks. Cybercriminals are increasingly taking advantage of the surge of remote workers who may have dropped their guard because they feel too comfortable at home. Here are some cybersecurity tips for remote workers to help you stay safe online:
Tip #1: Use public Wi-Fi with caution
As a remote worker, you have the freedom to work from virtually anywhere with an internet connection. However, public wi-fi networks can be dangerous. Hackers specially target them because of their weak security. With a compromised public wi-fi connection, hackers may access your mobile device and steal your login credentials, financial information, and personal data. They may also distribute malware. If you must use public wi-fi, have protection measurements in place.
Tip #2: Protect yourself from phishing attacks
The best way to avoid becoming a victim of a phishing attack is to educate yourself on the latest phishing scams. Cybercriminals continue to evolve, and phishing attacks become more sophisticated. Even with a good spam filter, phishing emails can still creep their way into your inbox. Never click a link or attachment from a suspicious email. Study the sender’s domain name to ensure it’s from a trustworthy source. And if you’re someone who is in charge of payments or invoices, it’s worth coming up with a way to authenticate any money-related requests before taking any actions.
Tip #3: Choose strong passwords
Use strong passwords and change them often or when the system advises that it’s time to update your password. Strong passwords consist of uppercase and lowercase letters, special symbols, and numbers. Enable two-factor authentication. If you can’t develop a strong password, you can use a random password generator. And if you can’t keep track of all your passwords, a password manager will keep all your passwords safe under a master password.
Tip #4: Be mindful about what you share online
Be careful about what information you share online. Don’t share your personal information on public platforms, such as your home address or Social Security number. Identifying information, including your birthday and phone number, can all be used to steal your identity. Even sharing your favorite movie, pet’s name, and favorite food can be used by hackers to beat your two-factor authentication protection.
Tip #5: Keep your operating system and applications up-to-date.
Make sure your computer is protected with antivirus software and a firewall. Install malware protection software. Don’t delay updates, as putting off updates leaves your system vulnerable and susceptible to attacks. Software updates occur regularly and help safeguard your data by addressing security flaws. Pay attention to the alerts you receive on desktop, laptop, or smartphone for software updates, along with any changes that may affect your apps.
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