Remote-working has become the new norm in the business world. Ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic businesses fluctuate to sending their employees in remote-working offices.
Basically, this means that the employees started working from home instead of spending time in the company office.
Today, we will share some cyber security tips for remote offices and how can one protect oneself from online danger. The internet has offered us an endless amount of possibilities including VPN encryption. However, there are some aspects of it that we might not be familiar with. As we go through the article, we will also share some of the most common cases in which one can be endangered online.
Why are cyber security tips for remote offices important?
The internet has become a vast place with almost anything available for the user. It is a place where you can share information, look up data, communicate with other people and so much more. According to recent studies, about 80% of the population on Earth uses the internet.
This means that amongst that percentage there must be some rotten apples. We are talking, of course, about cybercriminals. For that reason, the importance of cyber security is immense. Especially today, when there are more people working remotely, than from offices.
Going online each day, sharing private and sensitive information might not only lead to issues on your side, but could damage the whole company you work for.
- Cyber security protects the user from harm
- Having adequate knowledge of potential online issues can be a life-saver
- Knowing how to recognize those issues will help you avoid them easier
- By being smart, you not only save yourself but the company as well
Cyber security tips for remote offices you should utilize
Working from home came as a blessing or as a curse to some people. Regardless, your online security should be important. Especially when you are working remotely and deal with sensitive company data on a regular basis. So, whether you are working in eCommerce or any similar business field, remember to think about your safety online.
Always update your devices
Regardless of which update you receive it is important that you do not delay it. Whether you need to update the software you are working on, your antivirus program or the device itself – do it as soon as possible. New updates usually mean implementing new features and can put you at risk. Especially when you are delaying them and working on an older version.
Although we categorize this as cyber security tips for remote offices you should do this regardless of if you are working or doing something personal. Your devices should always be up-to-date as it is the best way to ensure you are safe from any malicious intent or harm. Also, consider enabling DMARC for Office 365 for an additional layer of protection
Now is the time to create stronger passwords
As we mentioned above, working remotely can put in risk not only your own safety, but the safety of your company. To avoid this, consider changing your passwords. Moreover, create stronger passwords and include both digits and letters. This is especially important if you are using a web browser for your work.
Many browsers use cookies to remember the log-in information for easier access the next time you visit. If someone with enough skill bumps into this information they can easily use it against you. So, regardless of what your passwords are, make sure you change them from time to time, especially when working.
Never use your personal device for work
Avoid using personal devices to finish something from work. Although it might seem easier at times, this can create big issues. It is better to be safe and always use your office device for business only and your personal device for personal usage. If you comply with this, you will be reassured that no internal company information leaks outside.
When you are using your personal device, you are more likely to use the public internet. The public internet is a place where you are most endangered, as well as your data. This is where you will find most of the cybercriminals who are lurking and waiting for a potential target. So, avoid using personal devices for work at all costs.
VPN is your best friend
Short for Virtual Private Network, VPN is an app that helps people to remain anonymous online. In addition, by having encrypting protocols, VPN masks the internet traffic you are sending from your device. This makes it impossible for hackers and other cybercriminals to track where the traffic is coming from and intercept it.
As this is something everyone should have, for work or personal use, we hope this guide helps you choose a provider of your liking. On the other hand, as remote-working is something that is becoming more and more popular, many businesses started using VPNs on their own.
This means that there is a high chance that your company will provide you with adequate information to allow you to safely work from afar using VPN.
Phishing will always be something to look out for
Phishing – an old method of scamming people that evolves over time. Phishing is a method cybercriminals use to gather personal information from their potential victims. For instance, many people who are working remotely might get fake e-mails that seek personal information of the worker or information about the company.
Being aware of phishing scams in one of the most important cyber security tips for remote offices as it can easily become a huge problem. These scams are something that exists for as long as the internet does and you should always be aware of it. As the internet evolves, so do the methods of phishers who want to scam people online.
If you, by any chance, stumble upon this type of e-mail – contact your superior to validate if the e-mail is from the company or from a scammer.
