At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, working remotely was a means of keeping businesses afloat during a very stressful time. Two full years later and the entire world seems to have embraced the idea of remote work, in some capacity. At the start of 2022, more than 25% of the workforce is still working in a remote manner. According to Upwork, more than 50% of teams are working remotely at least part of the time. These numbers indicate that hybrid and remote work is something that will remain with our society for some time. Therefore, if you are a remote worker, there are some security precautions you will want to ensure you are taking to keep your data safe, even while in the relative safety of your home. In a recent blog we went into depth on the increasing number and intensity of cyber attacks across the globe, therefore the more precautions you can take, the lower your risk and fewer the vulnerabilities there will be as you work from the comfort of your home office.
Use Updates Antivirus Software
Just because you are working from outside the office doesn't mean you don't have access to the most up-to-date software that your IT department or Managed IT Provider can give you access to. Using the latest versions of antivirus software can protect our devices from ransomware attacks, DDoS attacks, malware, spyware, and other types of breaches.
Use Two-Factor or Multi Factor Authentication
Adding an extra level of security to access sensitive information can safeguard all of your data especially if your passwords are compromised. While it is an extra step to logging in to accounts, it can save you in the case that a malicious hacker wants to infiltrate your data. Two-factor authentication and Multi Factor Authentication has long been used to control who can access sensitive data and systems, and security professionals urge enabling two-factor authentication on all your online accounts, computers, and mobile devices.
Strong & Secure Passwords
Sometimes when employees are working from home, they can get lulled into the false feeling of being secure. However, just because you are not in the professional business atmosphere of the office doesn't mean you shouldn’t stay current with strong and secure passwords. Using a password manager can help keep them organized and significantly stronger than anything you can create on your own.
Beware of ‘Zoom bombing’ and Other Video Conferencing Issues
Early in the pandemic, there was a rash of issues with security surrounding video conferencing including what was called Zoom bombing, where an uninvited guest would access the conference and cause chaos. In response to Zoom bombing attacks, the FBI released advice to help users protect themselves while using video conferencing software. This includes keeping meetings private with a password to enter, ensuring that software is up-to-date, and having a waiting room aspect where attendees can gather before gaining access to the meeting. In addition, securing your Wi-Fi, using a VPN, and installing encryption on your devices, you will find that your remote work becomes even more safe and secure.
