Cyber security tips while browsing internet

Work does not need to be done in a specific place to be executed successfully. Based on this concept, remote work is a workforce arrangement that allows employees to work outside the conventional office environment. Remote work allows employees to execute their projects wherever they please; there’s no need to commute to the office every day and work from a designated work station. Remote work has been on the rise in the past few years and is now becoming mainstream and some cyber security tips can help.

Currently, a lot of professionals are turning to remote work in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19. But there are compelling benefits of remote work, even without a pandemic to worry about. Research shows that working remotely enhances employee productivity and improves work-life balance. However, experts warn about the potential data and cybersecurity risks of giving employees remote access to an organization’s IT infrastructure.

• Data Breaches. Faced by approaching deadlines, an employee working remotely can be tempted to get into a hotel lobby or connect to a public Wi-Fi network to get some quick work done. There are all types of cyber threats lurking on these networks. Hackers can easily snoop into your internet traffic and steal sensitive company data.
• Malware. The vast majority of C-level executives believe that working from home increases the risk of a data breach. When working remotely, employees have to connect to the office from their personal computers at home. Personal computers may have malware and other malicious content hidden on them, which can be easily delivered on the office network.

The ability to work remotely is appealing to many professionals. However, there are numerous cyber security risks that make it difficult to work remotely. But that does not mean that people can’t work remotely, especially at a time like this when the world is dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. Here are five security tips for safe remote work.

5 cyber security tips to protect your computer

1. Use VPN

   One of the biggest cyber security concerns vis-à-vis remote work stems from unsecured networks. Using a VPN is the only way to stay safe when connected to public Wi-Fi networks when working remotely. What is a VPN? A VPN tunnels your internet traffic through a private network ensuring more security. As a remote worker, all you have to do is download a reliable VPN and execute your projects safely from home.

2. Email Encryption

   As a distributed workforce, it’s important for organizations that have embraced remote work to implement email encryption. Email is a major gateway for potential threats. Therefore, strong encryption, coupled with a strict email policy that outlines what constitutes a suspicious email and how to handle suspicious emails, is necessary.

3. Antimalware Protection

   Hackers use malware to look for vulnerabilities in a system and use them to gain control of the devices in the network. Having up to date antivirus protection at all times ensures security. Employers should ensure that devices connected to their network are fully protected with firewalls, encryption, and up to date antivirus.

4. Multi-Factor Authentication

   A lot of people still use weak passwords for their online accounts, including work accounts, despite being aware of the risks. Hackers can easily crack weak passwords with brute force and make away with sensitive company data. Multi-factor authentication adds a layer of security to employee accounts when working remotely.

5. Report Cyber security Issues to In-House IT Immediately

   When working remotely, employees will experience cyber security breaches now and then even with every possible protection in place. As a remote worker, the best way to minimize the impact of a data breach is to report the issue to in-house IT staff immediately. Monitor the performance of your device, pop-up ads, and error messages and report discrepancies as soon as you notice them.

   Remote work has a myriad of benefits for both the employer and the employee. Working remotely improves the productivity of the workers and helps them maintain a healthy work-life balance . But working from home also comes with certain cyber security risks. Following these tips will help you mitigate these risks and create a secure remote work environment.

This guest post was written by Jeff Anderson of TechWarn, a website featuring the latest tech news from around the world. [published on 13-july-2020]