If you’re making the transition from working in a secure office to working remotely from home, you may be worrying about how you can keep your computer and data secure.

To make your experience of working remotely from home more convenient and secure, and less stressful, we have compiled a list of 12 steps you can do at home to protect your information.

1. Take a picture before disconnecting your work computer

If you are taking home equipment from the office, make sure to take a couple pictures of where all the different cords and cables connect. This will act as a reference for how to reconnect it at home.

2. Install and update the proper software

It’s easier for most people to postpone an update when they are busy, but out-of-date software can leave vulnerabilities that provide an entry point for hackers to get into your software. By keeping your apps and software up to date, it helps keep your computer and its’ data safe. Also make sure the antivirus and anti-malware software on your computer is up to date and an approved corporate security software.

3. Uninstall software cluttering your hard drive

Chances are, if you don’t use a software, you aren’t taking the time to update it. When working at home, it’s important to remove unused software from your computer to eliminate the chances of a cybercriminal finding a vulnerability they can exploit.

4. Use a Virtual Private Network

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a private connection to a secure network to protect your data and your work. Always use a VPN when you are working so the data you’ve been entrusted with stays safe.

If you are more technologically advanced, we recommend separating the computer you use for work from the other devices using the same network though a different router or firewall, such as the hot spot service from your smart phone.

5. Don’t let your Wi-Fi automatically connect

While it can be a pain having to re-enter your Wi-Fi password, turning off automatic connections on your computer will help keep your data safe. Some hackers can trick your computer into automatically connecting to their network instead of your own secure one, simply by naming their network the same as yours. By entering your password every time you connect to the network, you can ensure that you are in fact using your secure connection.

6. Keep your computer private

It’s also important when working from home that you protect sensitive information from those around you. By locking your computer every time you step away, you can keep unwanted guests from looking through your files. You can also create separate user accounts for the members of your household, so you can rest easy knowing your files are secure.

7. Don’t save passwords in your browser

While it’s convenient to have your browser remember your passwords, it’s also risky. Hackers can easily swipe your saved passwords, especially if your browser isn’t up to date on the latest software. To conveniently and securely store your passwords, ask your supervisor if you have access to a password manager. This software will remember your passwords while keeping them safe and even help you create passwords that are difficult to hack.

8. Secure your computer’s DNS settings

A DNS setting on your laptop can stop you from accidentally accessing deceptive websites. If your company has not set this up for you, give us a call. One of our techs will be able to help you remotely.

9. Secure your softphone system

If you enjoy the convenience of softphone technology, make sure it has been properly installed before you begin working from home. Unsecure softphone technology makes it easy for hackers to gain access to your computer.

10. Use a secure browser

Certain browsers have better security that are resistant to cyberattacks, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. If you choose to work on Google Chrome, we strongly recommend not using extensions. These are a hotbed for computer viruses that can corrupt your data. When working from home, make sure all extensions are properly disabled, or not used at all.

11. Learn to identify different cyberattacks

Certain cyberattacks are more common than others. Two of the most common attacks are through emails and internet links. You can avoid email attacks by always reading the full email address of the sender before opening the email to make sure it is from a trusted source.

The domain on a link can be a good indicator that the link contains a virus. A common domain is .com, so if the link tries to trick you with a domain of .corn or .com1, don’t open the link. If you are ever unsure if something is a cyberattack, always contact your IT department. It is best to let them know before opening the suspicious item, but if you begin to think that an email or link you already opened may be suspicious, call them right away.

12. Back up your data

The most important thing you can do for peace of mind while working from home is back up your data. There is nothing worse than losing hours of progress because your data was not saved properly.

Always know where your files are saved and save often. If you are unsure how to best save your work, give us a call today. Our techs are ready to help!

Thanks for reading!

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