Ever since the pandemic struck out, many people have been working remotely and even promoting it as a better way to be productive. However, most don’t realize just how much more dangerous this is compared to the traditional methods. In the following seven entries you’ll learn the ways in which you can get endangered, as well as the security measurements to counteract that.
1. Cloud Apps
Unlike the programs that you have to download to your computer, cloud apps save all of your work on the cloud. Whereas a potential hacker that manages to acquire access to your PC can simply download all the files, the cloud apps store everything behind robust encryption walls that take massive amounts of computing power to get through.
For example, Google Drive uses AES-256 encryption standard to protect transferring files, and AES-128 to secure files at rest. The main conclusion is that cloud apps are much safer than any local apps available, and you should stick to them whenever possible.
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2. VPN
Arguably the largest security risk while working remotely are unencrypted connections through which you access your employer’s network. This means that hackers can intercept and steal any potentially valuable data from you such as passwords, credit card numbers, personal information, etc.
VPNs mask your IP address and route your connections through a secure tunnel, which means that hackers need an encryption key to decipher any data that’s passing through. There are both free and paid versions of the software, with the latter providing much higher connection speeds.
3. Password Managers
When you have multiple different, complex passwords, it can be quite hard to memorize which one goes to which website. This is why many people stick to simple combinations that they reuse almost everywhere, placing them at a large security risk.
Fortunately, password managers were created so that they can do all the remembering for you. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is a single, master password that you use to log in to the manager itself. Once that’s done, the program will automatically fill the password fields on any website that you visit.
4. Protect Yourself With Spokeo
Phishing emails and phone call scams are a day-to-day occurrence, especially in larger businesses. A successful phishing attack costs a company 3.8 MILLION dollars on average.
This is why it’s crucial to prevent these attacks before they even become an issue, which is where Spokeo can help. Specifically, it’s a phone number search and email lookup tool that cross-references sender/caller’s data with its massive database in order to try and find a match.
When it does, it returns all the essential details such as the owner’s name, address, criminal records, social media accounts, etc. By analyzing this detailed report, you can know exactly whether you’re dealing with a scam or a legitimate email/call.
5. Avoid Using Wi-Fi Hotspots
Even though they’re quite convenient, public Wi-Fi hotspots are a hacker’s dream. Since these hotspots usually have no protection, it allows anyone to position themselves between you and the connection point, leaving you vulnerable to all sorts of attacks. Of course, this isn’t the case with your home Wi-Fi, as long as it’s protected by a strong password (ideally using a WPA2 protocol). If you absolutely have to connect to a public hotspot, make sure to use strictly encrypted HTTPS connections while browsing online.
6. Two-Factor Authentication
2FA (short for two-factor authentication) is a security system that verifies a user’s identity. Instead of requiring only a password to allow access, 2FA requires one of the two other credentials alongside it – either something you own such as a card or a phone, or something that you are such as fingerprints or retina scan. 2FA is very efficient and secure since there’s no way for anyone to replicate both of the credentials. Even if they know your password, they would have to steal your phone or your fingerprint in order to get access.
7. Backups
If you followed all the previous guidelines, the chances that your information will get stolen is astronomically low, but it can still happen. In these worst-case scenarios, the only thing that can help minimize the damage is having a backup.
More specifically, a backup on a separate physical device. With the decreasing prices of external hard drives and USB sticks, there’s no reason not to get one and save all your important data on it. However, once you’ve got everything backed up, make sure not to plug the device into any potentially infected PC, since it can get compromised as well. In addition, if your company uses cloud services, data security and compliance solutions from sites like https://saviynt.com/solutions/identity-governance-and-administration/ may also be helpful.
While there’s no way to ensure 100% safety whilst working remotely, following a combination of security tips can maximize that percentage. Keep yourself informed, work with your employer, and always double-check before dealing with any potentially malicious situation.
Maguire Haigh is a marketing manager for Spokeo. He is interested in the latest technology trends, marketing strategies, and business development. He also prefers traveling, exploring the world, and meeting new people. Maguire has great experience in creating and editing articles on different topics.
