Have you recently begun working from home? If so, you’ll want to make sure that you have adequate safeguards in place to protect from threats and keep your information private. Consider doing the following in order to have a strong work-from-home internet setup.
Keep Up with Your Antivirus Programs
Most new devices have antivirus protection already when you get them. However, you might want to locate and install a protection service that’s stronger and more up-to-date. Regardless of what antivirus program you install, it’s crucial that you update this on a regular basis. Hackers make it a point to find new ways of securing access to the data on your device, so it’s important to keep up a good offense as your best defense.
Make Sure Your Operating System is Up to Date
You know those reminders that pop up every so often on your computer or other type of device? Such reminders to download certain things, or restart and update your device are important to pay attention to if you’re working from home. This is because the developers come up with minor tweaks with patches, so you can keep your devices secure and worry a lot less. It can be annoying to see them as often as you do, but it’s incredibly worthwhile to just allow the updates since it’s an easy and typically free way in which to protect your system.
Router and Modem Security
Are you unsure of the difference between modems and routers? The modem is how your home network connects to the internet. Your router allows for each and every device in your home to use that connection. It basically creates a network, so you don’t have to manually connect all of your devices. Each device has a default password that comes with it.
If you haven’t changed the password since, it’s time to do so since you’re leaving your network more vulnerable to getting attacked. Hackers know that they can take advantage of the fact that people don’t usually change their default passwords. Be sure to check the instructions and change any passwords. Check firmware updates for your devices because modems and routers require occasional updates as well.
Privacy with a VPN
Consider putting up a virtual private network (VPN) so that you have a way in which to mask your online activities from any public internet connection. It is a great way to take cybersecurity to a higher level. You’ll be able to protect passwords and the sensitive information that hackers tend to like to exploit.
Encrypt Devices
It’s good practice to encrypt your devices. Each of your devices and their operating systems require that you use different methods, but it’s entirely possible to do this. After you encrypt your device, no one can view its contents unless they have your password.
Stay Safe on Social Media
You’re in a prime position for a big attack if you use social media. Be extremely careful when it comes to accepting requests to connect or “friend” people on social media. Also, think about what you’re doing when you receive a message with links or see ads on your account. You can maintain better security measures if you lock down your profiles and only choose to connect with friends, family, and others who you know personally.
Utilize Strong Passwords and the Auto-Lock Feature
We all do this – decide to get up and take a break from doing work, thinking it’s only going to be a few minutes, then the next thing you know it’s an hour later. This leaves you in a position to have your data stolen. Protect your data with the auto-lock feature that’s on your device. Use an added layer of protection with a password, biometric reading, or pin that will unlock it. This is valuable in case your device becomes lost or stolen, or if you just plain want to keep prying eyes from being able to view your private information such as browsing history and messages.
Separate Work and Home Devices
It can be overwhelming to have multiple devices to purchase and maintain. If you do a great deal of your work from a laptop, tablet, and make frequent business calls, it’s important to have separate devices for personal and work use. This way, if one of them becomes infected, you have a back-up device you can use until your other becomes fixed.
A Final Note on Remote Work Internet Security
You’ve got to put in the best internet security measures when you work remotely from home. It can be easy to forget about some aspects, such as how you need to change the passwords for your router and modem, but this is going to keep your network from threats. It may be a good idea to pay for a high quality security suite package that will give you that extra protection and some peace of mind.
