But as a result of all work and communication being done online, the constant threat of cyber attacks, password theft, and other menaces put not only work lives at risk, but private lives, too. Consequently, every remote worker needs to take appropriate measures to ensure a safe work environment when online.
Separating personal and business lives
This is one of the hardest goals to achieve simply because usually all the devices used for work are personal ones supplied by the remote worker. Because there’s no actual office, all the work takes place on the various laptops, tablets, or smartphones of each employee. Very few remote workers have separate devices just for work, so it’s likely that the same computer serves both personal and business matters.
Additionally, some people might even lend these devices to family members, which automatically means that the owner is not in complete control of the machine’s security and could therefore become perfect targets for attackers to mine data from. Family photos, online bank management, and social media details can all be lost to attackers, and important work information like passwords and other company details are just as vulnerable.
Even if the best-case scenario of having separate personal and professional devices isn’t possible, the necessary security precautions should still be taken to thoroughly protect the equipment – especially so for the business-related content stored within. Remote workers should also be aware and educated about the latest threats, from any common concerns to the most ingenious ways of tricking them into installing malware.
Antivirus, VPNs and more
Therefore, VPNs are needed more than ever nowadays, and one of their biggest advantages is precisely the protection against the dangers of public Wi-Fi. In fact, there are hundreds of options out there and even special solutions created just for businesses such as Perimeter 81, which allows for the creation of private networks for companies, establishing an online hierarchy for personnel, and more. But even the best VPN won’t do much if your computer is infected with a virus or malware, so a proper antivirus should never be ignored.
Nowadays, VPNs and antivirus software is more complete than ever and bring with them other important security features such as ad-blockers and website advisors, which along with an up-to-date browser and operating system are more than enough to keep your computer healthy and secure. Last but not least, it’s always important to remember the importance of strong passwords and to use two-factor authentication whenever possible, particularly when it comes to sensitive work data or when using online backup services, for instance.
Leo S.
Adam B.
