Staying Safe Online While Working Remotely (2022)

Staying Safe Online While Working Remotely (2022)

Everyone working online must be cybersecurity conscious and cautious at the least or basic level. If you are representing an organization or firm and handle sensitive or important data, you must be CyberSmart.

Cyberattacks are becoming more intricate and expensive to manage (research indicates that cybercrime will cost the global economy $6 trillion in 2021 alone). Thus, it’s critical to customize your strategy and go beyond the fundamentals regarding staying safe online while working remotely.

The Big question is, How can you safeguard yourself against these attacks or enemies who are constantly attempting to access your personal information, credit card numbers, login information, and more through phishing, ransomware, malware, social engineering, and other means?

Staying Safe Online While Working Remotely (2022)

This is why this website is birthed to educate, inform and empower you with information to safeguard your cyberspace.

In this article, we will be sharing major tips to keep your data safe and secure when working remotely.

1. Avoid Or Do Not Use Personal Computers For Work and Vice Versa

This is common these days among many remote staff and workers, and even office workers as well. The availability of a computer or system for your use in the office doesn’t make it personal nor in reverse case scenario. Don’t convert a business or office system to private use this could be dangerous depending on your work online.

ALSO, READ How To Protect Your Cell Phone Accounts From Hackers

At first look, your personal computer can appear to be just as secure as your work computer, but experts caution that it’s doubtful that it has enough antivirus software, specialized firewalls, and automatic backup tools running in comparison to machines used by your workplace.

However, if you must use your personal computer for business, utilize two-factor authentication, strong passwords for all of your accounts, encrypted communication for all critical information, and make sure firewalls are configured.

2. Choose A Strong Password and Change Them Periodically

Passwords are meant to be a brick wall when it comes to cyberspace. Not to be taken with levity or casually, a password is an integral part of Cybersafety.  Choose a difficult password for your device that is peculiar to you and no one else. You can include special characters and cases when available to reduce the chances of cracking.

Depending on your business, experts advise changing your passwords every 30, 60, or 90 days. This is especially important if you’ve recently logged onto a shared computer, received information that your account has been compromised, or shared your password with someone who no longer needs access.

3. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication

An extra layer of security after choosing a strong password. When working remotely, it’s crucial to use two-factor authentication when login into all of your accounts, including email, Slack, and other productivity software.

Its purpose is to safeguard your accounts in the event that your passwords are stolen by requiring an additional one-time code for successful login.

YOU CAL READ : How To Create A Secure Password For Your Accounts/Profile (2022)

Two-factor authentication is simple to implement into your security strategy thanks to apps like Google Authenticator, LastPass Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Okta. Talk to your IT director or CTO to set up two-factor authentication if your business doesn’t already have it.

 

4. Be Discreet With Work-Related Data And Information

WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE OUTSIDE WORK

It is expedient you take work information and data serious with utmost precaution and responsibility. When your duty requires the compilation or acquisition of clients’ data and information, ensure that you prioritize privacy and be discreet.

It’s crucial to protect business information including trade secrets, employee information, and company credit accounts, just as you are aware of the importance of protecting your personal banking information, passwords, and data.

ALSO, READ How To Protect Your Company Website From Hackers (2022)

Additionally, make sure the software you use for work is current and keep only what is really necessary to perform your duties. If you’re in charge, maintain tabs on the client information you gather and where it’s kept. Find out more about safeguarding consumer information.

Staying Safe Online While Working Remotely (2022)

WHEN SHARING A SCREEN – ZOOM OR REMOTE ACCESS

There are a few extra precautions you may take while sharing your screen in a conference to prevent unintentionally disclosing confidential information.

Before you begin, turn off your desktop alerts. Your private emails, Slack conversations, and upcoming appointments won’t be visible to anyone in this way. It’s also more professional and less distracting! If your SMS messages are synced to your computer, they also apply to them.

ALSO, READ How Organizations Can Secure Clients’ Data From Hackers.

Second, minimize all but the tabs you wish to exhibit; this looks more professional and protects your data. Keep the tabs you want to present in a separate window.

5. Set Automatic System Homescreen Lock When Idle For 1 Minute

This simple step has saved a lot of people and businesses from hackers. Especially when they work in close proximity to one who is a traitor. When you are not on your system, LOCK THE SCREEN. This will help you monitor the usage in your absence, and that is relatively none as long as your passwords are not stolen.

When using a computer system your history, logged-in profiles and current tabs remain active until you shut down or sign out. If you want to take a lunch break or a little nap, LOCK THE SCREEN. If this is not something you will remember to do manually, set it automatically for at least a minute or two.

6. Use a VPN to Securely Connect, Browse, and Access Data If Necessary

When working from home, you might not think a VPN is necessary, but there are numerous situations where having one would be helpful.

A virtual private network, or VPN, establishes an encrypted connection between you and a remote server run by a VPN provider. Your data is secure since this tunnel carries all of your internet traffic.

A VPN can certainly give you peace of mind if you’re working from a coffee shop or airport and using a public WIFI connection, but it’s also worthwhile to use if you work from home so that your internet service provider can’t access or sell your data and so that you can keep your company information secure.

7. Use Free Cybersecurity And Safety  Tools (Antivirus & Malware Protection)

For you to check your devices for known viruses and spyware and determine whether your device is vulnerable to cyberattacks, several companies that create cybersecurity software provide free scans.

Beyond running routine scans, be careful to keep your cybersecurity software updated. It’s worth the investment and will undoubtedly save you money if you or your company is breached (not to mention maintaining your brand reputation and client trust).

Think about your main risks while picking cybersecurity software or service providers. Finding the best service for your requirements depends on knowing what information needs to be safeguarded, where it is held, and who has access to it.

8. Monitor Your Mailbox/ Social Media Signups and Apps

How do you determine whether an email is safe or suspicious when phishing accounts for more than 80% of reported security incidents?

There are signs that something is amiss if you receive an email that appears to be from a business or someone you know and asks you to open an attachment or click on a link because they’ve seen some suspicious activity or login attempts, there’s a problem with your account or payment information, or you need to confirm personal information.

ALSO, READ Top Cyber Security Courses You Can Enroll Online For Free (2022)

Misspellings, generic greetings, excessive punctuation, and an email address that doesn’t match up are all telltale symptoms of phishing. It’s usually a good idea to confirm any suspicious-looking emails with your CTO or head of IT. Reach out to the sender personally to confirm that it is from them if it is from someone you trust, such as your manager.

Test your knowledge by taking this free quiz to see whether you can distinguish between a legitimate email and a phishing email.

Staying Safe Online While Working Remotely (2022)

SOCIAL MEDIA APPS AND SIGNUPS

First, be cautious about the third-party applications you grant sign-in access to. It can seem simpler to create an account on Facebook, but doing so increases the security risk to your information, therefore it’s advisable to have a separate login for each extra account.

Second, if you’re going to allow third-party access, make sure you read the small print and know what authorization you’re granting them. Can they send a message on your behalf? Can they access and disclose your personal information? Don’t give any third-party app access to too much of your data.

Third, use different passwords for each account to ensure that the security of your other accounts won’t be affected if one is compromised.

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