While you’re working from home, there are a few basic privacy tips that you should follow. Fortunately, many of these practices are fairly easy to implement and can greatly improve your privacy while working online from home. Here are a few of the most common ones. Hopefully, these tips will make working from home more enjoyable for you and your employer.
Always lock your computer screen when you leave your workstation. This simple trick is a proven effective way to secure your data and prevent identity theft. Moreover, if you work on an employer’s network, it is best not to have your back to the window or have others peeking in while you’re working. While you may not think it’s necessary, you shouldn’t use a personal computer if you work from home.
Emails are one of the most common ways for colleagues to communicate with each other. However, they’re also the easiest way to compromise your security. Consequently, the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) has issued recommendations for protecting home workers. Instead of using unsecured email accounts, work emails should be accessed securely via a company’s VPN, which creates a secure network connection, authenticates the user, and encrypts the data during transit. It’s also recommended that all your devices are regularly patched. For more details on Cyber Liability Insurance, contact jmpcyberinsurance.co.uk/what-we-do/cyber-liability-insurance
If you’re planning to use a public Wi-Fi connection to access the internet, keep in mind that cybercriminals can use it to spy on your personal details and your company’s emails. If you’re using public Wi-Fi, avoid visiting sensitive websites and typing passwords on unsecured wireless networks. Rather, use a personal hotspot. Make sure your home router is password-protected.
Keeping track of your work activities is also important. Many workers are on remote desktops, which allow them to access the network from a distance. Try to limit the number of IP addresses that can access the network, and limit the number of times you attempt to enter your password. In addition, remote working trends often involve using public spaces such as cafes or co-working spaces. Using such locations is risky and can compromise your online security.
Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted the work-from-home movement. By taking advantage of the broader security perimeter created by remote workers, they can steal data and disrupt operations. Therefore, it’s important to follow these security tips when working online from home.
Protect your webcams. If your laptop is connected to a webcam, there’s a good chance that someone else could use it to spy on you. Fortunately, there are easy solutions to this problem, such as webcam covers. These inexpensive covers are available at most electronics stores, and they are quite effective. In addition to securing your webcams, you should also block your laptop’s camera.