Cybersecurity Essentials for Working from Home

It goes without saying that every person is at risk of a cyber-attack. We live in a technologically advanced world; therefore, cybersecurity is nowadays more important than ever before, especially for those working from home. To maintain operational security, remote workers need to learn a couple of cybersecurity essentials.

Having cyber awareness and practicing healthy cyber hygiene is something we should all be doing more, as it is the only sure thing that keeps us safe online. This is especially true for those working from home, as it is not only about your safety but the safety of the company you work for. Certainly, you do not want to get fired because some cybercriminal hacked your PC and got high-value info.

Generally, the most important thing about cybersecurity that you should know is all the possible threats and how to protect yourself from them. As you might already guess, there are a plethora of cyber attacks that can be made against you; some of the most common types include:

1. Malware
2. Phishing
3. Password attacks

Although remote workers’ internet connection is typically secure at home, most people simply do not have the same cybersecurity essentials. Moreover, as a remote worker, you will probably not just work from the comfort of your own home as you have the liberty to do your job from anywhere in the world.

The growing trend of remote workers is probably why breaches and cyber thefts have doubled in the last couple of years. This is mainly because they are people who work on unsecured networks and do not take cybersecurity seriously as they should.

Nonetheless, it is never late for change. If there’s a will, there’s a way. You can start by learning the importance of using a VPN from reputable VPN providers such as le VPN.

#1 Use a VPN

Any cyber-aware remote worker would advise you to use a VPN, as it is one of the smartest and most efficient ways of protecting yourself from malicious attacks. A VPN encrypts all your online traffic so no one can snoop on what you are doing. With that being said, you can see why it is highly popular among remote workers.

With VPN, you can kill two birds with one stone, as it is not just beneficial to your organization but to you personally as well. No matter if you are in public or at home, a VPN is there to keep you stay safe when surfing online.

Furthermore, a VPN can help you get around various internet restrictions, as the internet is not as liberating as it once was. If you are someone that likes traveling, you know how frustrating geo-restrictions can be. Luckily, with the help of a VPN, you will get around these bocks simply by making it appear that you are in a whole different location.

#2 The Stronger the Passwords, the Stronger the Security

When it comes to cybersecurity, sometimes something as simple as having complex passwords can go a long way. Whether it’s about your company or personal account, using a strong password is a must, that is, if you want to secure your devices.

It goes without saying, passwords play a massive role in security, as weak passwords are one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to breach defenses. With that being said, if you are still using the password you came up with for your first email account back in 2001 featuring your favorite musician or a movie star, it’s time to change that.

Now, you should be wondering, what is a strong password exactly? A strong password is a password with a minimum of 8 characters, including numbers, symbols, and upper case and lower case letters.

Given that you will need a lot more than one password, it is understandable that you do not have the inspiration or time to come up with strong passwords. That’s where password management software comes in and saves the day. This is the best mechanism for storing and retrieving passwords.

#3 Instal Anti-Malware Software

Even if you’ve lived under a rock, you would have heard about anti-virus software. It’s one of the most talked about topics regarding cybersecurity. There is multiple antivirus software whose primary purpose is to protect your system from viruses, malware, Trojans, phishing attacks, spyware, and any other online cyber threat.

If we were to compare a system without antivirus software, it is just like a house with an open door. You certainly do not leave your doors open in real life, so why would you let them open online?

In case your computer gets attacked by one of many viruses, and you happen not to have anti-virus software installed, it can damage or delete files, prevent your computer from performing tasks, reformat your hard disk, and much more.

However, if you have anti-virus software installed, the chances of something like this happening are minimal. Moreover, Hackers’ typical go-to move is using malware to access their victim’s device, so anti-malware software provides full-proof protection against them.

#4 Never Skip a Software Update

If there’s one sure thing that can be said with certainty, it’s that software updates and patches are a crucial part of an effective cybersecurity strategy. They are used to correct vulnerabilities and bugs in the software, hence why it is important to never skip a software update, especially if you are a remote worker.

We live in a technologically advanced world, and with goods always comes the bad that we have to minimize. Regularly updating your software system, having strong passwords, and using anti-virus software and a VPN from trustful providers such as Le VPN are cybersecurity essentials every remote worker should know.