Since the COVID-19 pandemic, most people have been working from home. Even though working from home is quite convenient and comes with many benefits, it can expose you and your organization to some cyber security risks. Since the rise of remote working conditions, some cybersecurity threats such as phishing have gotten more prevalent, and it is imperative to keep yourself protected. And now that remote work is here to stay, here are some best practices that you should follow when working remotely:
Make sure that you invest in a webcam cover that can be easily put on
If you are working from home, you would generally have to take part in video calls and teleconferences frequently. This means that you will need to use your webcam. Unfortunately, there have been many incidents from savvy hackers who can access your webcam easily without having to need your permission. Your privacy could be extremely compromised, and if you have a few sensitive documents stored around your local machine, these hackers would be able to access their documents via your webcam. You need to invest in a webcam cover that is easy to use to keep yourself protected at all times.
Incorporate a centralized data storage solution for your device
If your organization relies on server or cloud storage, you need to ensure that you use this solution. You need to avoid saving any files locally. When you save files on your device instead of a central storage solution, you are risking yourself potential data loss and the threat of hackers getting into your system and accessing your files. Instead, if you use a centralized data storage solution, in case the data gets compromised, or any local files are compromised, destroyed, or lost, you can easily retrieve the data with a backup of all documentation. With central data storage, your documents and files will be safe, and they will be protected using a firewall.
Keep your home Wi-Fi secure
One of the easiest ways to make sure that you are compliant with all important cybersecurity protocols when working remotely is to keep the network security of your Wi-Fi strong. You can simply limit network access to particular MAC addresses for supplementary security. This will only allow your home devices to connect to the internet and check if any other device is using your network. You can manually add the settings of your wireless router to all of your devices to ensure that only they are connected to your internet network. Also, make sure that you use the latest copy of your firmware and install all the important security updates by downloading them from your router settings. Software updates and patches are often released to address possible security problems.
Beware of video conferencing platforms
When you are working remotely, you need to rely on video conferencing software. However, such software can often create a potential security risk. In case your video conferences get monitored or invaded, it can lead to a security breach, and the sensitive information of your clients or your organization can get leaked. Your staff is also at risk of suffering from personal and potentially threatening invasions from hackers. Ensure that all your meetings are completely private, either by demanding a password to enter the meeting or managing guest access using a waiting room. When your organization is selecting vendors for video conferencing software, they need to consider security requirements. Ensure that the software provides end-to-end encryption and passes all the important security and privacy checks. Finally, you need to make sure that the software version you are using is completely updated to ensure if you have important software updates and the latest patches installed.
Make sure that all your passwords are secure and strong
One of the easiest yet frequently overlooked methods to protect yourself against any fraud when you are working remotely from home is to ensure that you strengthen all your passwords, even the ones that are personal to your devices. You need to make sure that you maintain the maximum password protection on all your devices at all times. You need to also add a password screen each time you need to access your devices. This would protect you against any physical breach if your device was to get into the hands of someone else. Using strong passwords can also make it extremely hard for any third-party application to obtain access to sensitive files that are stored on your device. You can also use a password manager and two-step authentication to secure your passwords.
Protect yourself from online banking fraud
If you need to make online payments using the business accounts of your organization, you need to make sure that your money gets stored and moved using the safest methods possible. Online banking platforms come with numerous security breaches, and you need to ensure that you keep yourself and your company completely protected. You need to use only accredited services and software to handle your funds. If you doubt the credibility of any platform, you need to do your research and collect relevant information before you transfer any funds. Only trust the services and software that you are familiar with, and know. Keep in mind that credible institutions always include information during transfers for human contacts before they request a payment.
Conclusion
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people have been working from home, remotely, worldwide. As a remote worker, you need to be careful regarding cyber security. You can keep yourself and your organization completely safe against any risk by following the best cybersecurity practices.