Like in everyone’s daily life, cybersecurity is also essential for work. With it, an individual or a company can protect sensitive files, information, products, and services. Moreover, as remote work grows in popularity, the tools for team communication, file transfers, and other processes now need protection more than ever. If you’re working remotely or are planning to, please read the below tips. In the following sections, we’d listed seven ways and tools that make remote work more secure.
Hereunder are some quick and effective tips for a secure remote work experience.
Unlike locally installed programs, cloud applications run on remote servers and are accessible through web browsers or clients. As a result, cloud tools can be more secure than their offline counterparts. Since the program isn’t on the device, the data and files are more protected as providers typically secure their servers with high-level encryption and other related methods.
Suppose an individual uses a tool like Google Docs instead of the offline Microsoft Word. In that case, a hacker will need to painfully crack Google’s secure servers instead of only infiltrating a single computer. However, users still need to secure their cloud apps logins and avoid phishing sites to avoid scams and hacks.
As many remote workers serve companies in another country or even continent, leaking files, documents, and information during Internet transfers is a common risk. Thankfully, several tools like VPNs help in securing connections to different websites, servers, and individuals.
In the process, a VPN encrypts and reroutes data packets into another server(s) before arriving at the destination server, resulting in a more secure connection. Aside from that, it’s also a way to avoid censorship and access region-blocked content easily. While countless VPN providers plagued the market today, it’s essential to choose something with fast and multiple servers, a no-log policy, and a good reputation or history.
Due to the countless applications and websites that remote workers use, reusing the same passwords across logins can be tempting. In this case, if a hacker manages to capture a password, it will be much easier to crack other existing accounts. With this in mind, getting a password manager is highly ideal and beneficial.
Password managers like Dashlane, Lastpass, Bitwarden, and 1Password generate and store unique passwords for every account and sync them across devices. Additionally, users will only have to create and remember a single master password to use these services. After that, all passwords are encrypted and locked, which means even if a breach occurs, hackers can’t decode the password data and will only be useless to them.
For remote workers and freelancers, contacting different individuals can be an everyday thing. However, while most contacts are legitimate, some send emails, calls, and messages to scam people. With this in mind, using an email search and reverse number lookup tool like Spokeo can help.
Using Spokeo, one could quickly check if an email is indeed a message from an actual client or staff of a company or not. Also, its phone number search feature helps verify a call or a phone number from a listing or a website. With these tools, one could confidently communicate with clients and companies, avoid scams, and stay safe online.
While many companies strictly protect their in-house internet connection, most public WiFis are open and unsecured. Accordingly, anyone, including hackers, can connect and intercept the data packets, logins, and files of other devices in the network.
To be sure, it’s best only to use home WiFi or carry a mobile SIM with a data plan whenever traveling for work. However, if necessary, please make sure to use a VPN, an antivirus program, isolated desktop or profile in a device, and avoid typing login details when connecting to a public WiFi.
While having strong and unique passwords helps secure online accounts, hackers will still find ways to do illegal things. In this case, using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can help add another layer of protection by requiring codes after successful password input.
Since most websites and apps provide built-in 2FA features, it’s best to turn them on immediately. However, if a service doesn’t have one, using a dedicated 2FA app like Authy and Google Authenticator can generate codes for protecting account logins.
Backups can help protect critical files from data corruption and other related events. Also, it’s a way to secure documents into an encrypted drive or cloud storage after deleting copies from an unprotected computer. Consequently, one won’t have to worry about losing an important project, file, or work progress for a client or a company.
While total security is almost impossible to achieve, using tools and employing methods like the items above helps. Also, with awareness, knowledge, and caution, safe remote work is highly achievable. If you’ve learned something, please feel free to share this article with anyone you think will find these tips helpful. Good luck!
Credit: This post is sponsored by Maguire Haigh of Spokeo.