With the transition to working from home, we are open to new vulnerabilities that may impact the security and privacy of our work. Often, we are unsure of what security measures we need to take to ensure that our data is protected – and even if we know some, are we sure that it’s enough? Below, I’ve highlighted the top tips to help you feel more secure and protected while working from home.
Use your firewall’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access files remotely
Using VPN access ensures that you are connected to a secure network, even if you are on a public network.
A secure VPN will encrypt transferred data, protecting it from being compromised.
Double check that your Windows is up to date
There are frequent Windows updates to improve the security of your system. By using a previous version, or not updating to the recent version, it leaves your system vulnerable to security breaches.
Update your antivirus software and firewall firmware
Make sure your antivirus software and firewall firmware are updated – these updates are designed to protect your system from new threats as they evolve.
Change your password from p@SSw0rd to something more secure
Although it seems simpler to have one password for all your accounts, it poses a huge security risk. Change your passwords every 30 days, and use a combination of letters (upper and lowercase), numbers, and special characters to create passwords that are harder to guess.
If you’re having difficulty remembering all your passwords, use a secure Password Manager to store them.
Reset your WiFi router password
WiFi routers are an easy target for scammers. Often, the default password provided by your Internet Service Provider is not secure enough, leaving your Wi Fi router exposed. Changing this default password to a more secure option will help protect you while you work remotely.
Limit who has access to your work
Ideally, your work computer should be separate from your “home” computer and should only be accessed by you. However, we know this isn’t always the case, and sometimes you need to share devices with other members of your family. In this case, you should have a separate, password protected work account on your device that only you know the password to.
These measures are the starting point for protecting your data while working from home. However, for further guidance on your specific needs, reach out to your IT support or TJMicro Ltd to ensure you are taking all the steps necessary to maximize your security.
