Security Tips For Remote Workers

Photo by Christopher Gower on Unsplash

When you work in an office, there are generally strict online security procedures and measures in place to prevent any potential threats to security and breaches of information. However, when it comes to remote working, it can be an entirely different situation and keeping what you are working on secure is often your responsibility. While you may think you are being careful, attacks and hacks on your personal data and information can come from just about anywhere. With more and more people working from home as a result of the pandemic, this is more of a concern than ever before. Besides protecting your privacy online, there are measures you can take to keep your devices and data safe while working remotely.

Use A VPN
Using a virtual private network, or online VPN as they are known, is essential for internet security if you work anywhere that has a shared wi-fi network, even if you work from home. Because remote employees are more likely to be using their computers in coffee shops and other public areas with public wi-fi networks, connecting to a VPN before logging onto work is important as you remain anonymous through the use of a provisional IP address. VPNs  also enable you to access all your files, access websites that may be otherwise blocked and avoid completely throttling your bandwidth.

Password And Practical Protection
Being a remote worker suggests that you are likely to use a number of different applications and you might conduct some online transactions so taking precautions to protect your personal data and privacy are essential.

• Perform all transactions on a secure, password-protected network. Even if you are utilizing a VPN, that extra layer of security doesn't hurt. Never send money over the internet utilizing a public, or shared network: keep these for when you can be sure nobody can witness your transactions.
• Use distinct and secure passwords for every account. If a hacker were to obtain a password to your email or social media account, the first thing they’ll do is try and use it for the rest of your accounts. Prevent this by making sure all your passwords are different and secure.
• Use messaging services with high encryption. Apps like Whatsapp and Signal provide extra protection that prevents others from eavesdropping in on your conversations.
• Log off after you’re done. Always log out of every internet account when you’ve finished using them.
• Be aware of your social media privacy settings. It can be a hassle to read those long privacy agreements, but try to get s sense of what you are okay with sharing and disable every else.
• Encrypt your data. A hacker would be unable to read any of your data if they obtained access to it without first obtaining the encryption key.

Learn What A Phishing Email Looks Like
Phishing emails, scam emails that attempt to trick you into sending over your personal information, are one of the most serious risks to the remote worker. Here's how to spot them and stay away from them. 

• Grammar and spelling are sloppy. Phishing emails are frequently generated by criminals who do not speak English as a first language. Poor language or a large number of misspelt words are major giveaways.
• Vagueness. If the subject of the email or any attachments appear to be suspiciously vague and do not appear to be related to any project you are currently working on, ignore them.
• Although the email address is recognizable, the content is bizarre. It is simple for a phisher to impersonate the email address of someone with whom you have already communicated. If the communication appears to be out of character and requests for your personal information or instructs you to click on an unusual link, it is most likely a phishing attack. It is possible that many of your professional relationships are unfamiliar to you because you work remotely, but using your instincts and observing other telltale indications should help you identify them.

Prevent Unauthorized Access To Your Computer From A Remote Location
Remote employees frequently use a remote desktop setup to collaborate on projects and access files from a host computer at their place of employment. Using this arrangement, you should restrict the number of people who are allowed to login remotely in the settings or even prevent all but a few selected IP addresses from connecting. You can also set a restriction on how many passwords attempts a user can make before being locked out.

While working remotely has some distinct advantages, it is important to take steps to protect you, your device and your information. You can do this by using a VPN, preventing access to your computers from remote locations and using passwords and encryptions.

This is a contributed post.