As part of managing the Corona virus situation, many organisations have encouraged more of their staff to work from home.
This presents new cyber security challenges that must be managed.
There has been a clear spike in phishing and other cyber crime activity over the last 6 months but there are plenty of ways you can begin to protect your business and improve your approach to cyber security.
To make working remotely more secure we have compiled some tips:
1: Use antivirus software:
It’s a must! The fact is that you just need to have it to be safe! Antivirus software is important to have on your personal computer, but its importance is even greater if you are using your own computer for working. Prevent malware from compromising your work and your employer’s systems.
2. Make sure your system and programs are up to date:
Programs and operating systems are updated regularly to prevent criminals from exploiting their weaknesses. Make sure your operating system is running the latest version. It is possible to enable automatic updates to make sure your systems are safe.
3. Secure your home network:
Make sure you have your WiFi network encrypted. Does your WiFi require a password? If so then it’s a good start. If not, access your router settings to change this.
You can also change your router’s default password. If your router is breached, then an attacker could get access to your devices and everything you send through the router. The default passwords for routers are a weak link in their protection.
4. Use a VPN:
If you are using your own computer, use a VPN to secure your connection and encrypt your data. Its much harder for your important data to be accessed if using a VPN. It is advised always use a VPN when connecting to public WiFi networks.
5. Beware of scam Emails:
Never open attachments or follow links in suspicious looking emails – trust your gut, if it looks dodgy then it generally is! Internet criminals have widely exploited the Covid-19 outbreak. It has been the topic of numerous international and national phishing and scam campaigns. If you get emails with any suspicious links or attachments, don’t open them. Better safe than sorry.
6. Avoid oversharing your screen:
During online meetings, be cautious when sharing your screen. Think about who is listening, or watching, and what your viewers can see behind or around you. Accidents do happen, and sometimes you might share something that you didn’t mean to. While it can be awkward, it’s also a privacy issue. You might be oversharing content that is not meant to be viewed by others.
7. Don’t share personal information in messages or social media:
Don’t share any personal information via messages or emails.
Be aware of phishing, and ensure that the person who asked really did so before sending important personal information.
It’s also a risk to share pictures of your remote workstation in social media. You might accidentally share important information while you do it.
We hope that these few tips help you to make sure your home office is running in a safer way, but if you have questions regarding cyber security, don't hesitate to give us a shout!
