Working from Home - Safe and Protected

Working from home has increased in popularity over the past few years. Many organizations have encouraged this to allow for a more flexible workforce.

Suddenly though, once coronavirus hit, working from home has become the only option for many people. As this all happened so quickly, many have had to create an improvised environment in which to work. This is not without flaws.

Working in an office, IT departments monitor computer systems. Networks are secured, and there are several protocols in place to make it difficult for hackers to get through.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for people working from home. Most people will connect online via their home internet providers. These connections are mostly unsecured, opening the door for hackers to get in.

Here are 6 tips that will help you protect your devices when working from home:

1.Antivirus Software

It’s given that you must have antivirus software installed on your computer. There are several companies out there who offer secure protection. Big names like Norton, McAfee, and TotalAV are industry stalwarts who all keep ahead of technology advances, including new viruses.

When working from home, it is even more important to choose the best antivirus software, that offers you the perfect protection that will keep all your devices safe and secure.

Make sure you have auto-update switched on, so your antivirus program is entirely up-to-date to combat any infections.

2.Secure Video Calls

Loads of companies are now turning to video conferencing for their communications. Some programs are more stable than others.

Zoom is making headlines at the moment due to a lack of security, allowing people to participate in ‘Zoom-bombing.’ This is where someone jumps into an existing meeting, shouts profanity, or makes lewd comments, then disappears again. Their tech team is rapidly trying to eliminate this issue.

WebEx and Microsoft Teams appear to be the preferred programs for video calls due to their higher levels of security.

3.Encrypted Communications

To protect computers from across a network being targeted, it’s essential to set up a virtual private network (VPN). This is especially important in an environment with a shared network like an airport terminal, or a coffee shop. 

The purpose of a VPN is to obscure the user’s IP address. Any would-be-hackers will only see the IP of the main network to which the user is connected.

An IPsec VPN is set at the IP address level and allows secure access to an entire network, not just a single terminal. This is ideal for multiple users.

4. 2-Step Verification

When logging into secure sites to perform transactions with confidential information, like payments, a 2-step verification process is a smart idea.

For example, log into your internet banking on your smartphone via your fingerprint, then any transactions must be completed with a pin code as well.

Alternatively to log into a protected site, choose to enter a password, and then type in a pin code that is sent to your phone.

5.Password Manager

Rather than using the same password for every website, most likely an easy one made up of character and numbers, you need a better level of log-in security.

A password manager requires only a master passcode to get in. This application will generate random, individual, heavily secure passwords for each website you access. Making it virtually impossible for hackers to copy them.

6.Phishing Emails

Sadly a pandemic like a coronavirus can bring out the worst in people. The latest scam from hackers is phishing emails.

These emails look like they come from your financial institution or other vital services and invite you to click on a link to get the ‘latest update on COVID-19’. Naturally, these links are bogus and can infect your computer with viruses or trojans.

Like always, be very vigilant about clicking on any links that you don’t trust. If you want to verify the legitimacy of the email, forward it to your IT team, who will advise you if it is safe or not.

Conclusion

Right now, working from home is here to stay.  Nobody knows when you’ll be able to return to work, and some organizations may even choose to continue operating this way.

To do this, you must make sure your home computer systems are not open to being hacked. Ensure you have a reliable, updated antivirus program, and use secure video conferencing programs. In order to make sure that the antivirus software, has all the features that you need to be protected, you can read our reviews and check out your options.

If you want to read a specific review, you can go to TotalAV review, or check out the Norton Security review.

Other than that, VPNs, 2-step verifications, and password managers are extra levels of security to assist you. Lastly, never click on a link that you aren’t 100% sure of.

Follow those tips- and working from home will be one less security issue you’ll have to deal with.

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