4 tips for staying secure while working remotely

For many employees, remote work has shifted the responsibility for computer maintenance, internet connectivity, and data security onto their own shoulders. Not all companies have been able to provide high-quality IT support or even the equipment necessary for the job.

Since work cannot wait and must be completed even under unusual circumstances, one must resolve issues related to computer hardware and security independently. Clearly, not everyone will be able to establish bank-grade security, but for most, that will not be necessary. Professionals will handle this in financial institutions. Everyone else should follow a few important recommendations.

1. Establish a secure network

Data security at home begins with establishing a secure network. This means protecting your home WiFi with a password so that neighbors and outsiders cannot connect to it. Often, this issue is resolved by the internet service provider, who assigns a router with a password that is, moreover, a rather difficult string of numbers and letters to memorize. Consequently, the user's task is simply not to remove this protection and not to connect guest devices to their network unnecessarily.

The next step is installing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) program. These solutions, which usually must be purchased as a one-time buy or subscribed to as a service, encrypt information sent from your computer to your work server or colleagues. Even if someone intercepts the transmission, using the stolen data is significantly more difficult. A VPN essentially acts as a fortified tunnel within your home network. While other household members exchange data in a less secure environment, your information is better protected.

If your company has not provided a VPN program for employees and you do not wish to invest your own money, the safest solution is to connect not to your home WiFi network, but to the mobile hotspot provided by your work mobile phone. This already includes data protection and encryption, and some smartphone brands have built-in VPN solutions. However, you must ensure that your connection includes unlimited data, as any limit will be quickly exceeded.

2. Regularly update programs

Since malicious actors are constantly working on creating new viruses, software developers also strive to protect their products from the latest malware. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure not only that antivirus programs are updated regularly, but also that the latest versions of all daily-use applications are obtained. This does not mean you must start your day checking if program versions are outdated. Computers usually notify you of available updates, and you can configure settings to allow them to perform improvements automatically without requiring consent each time.

For users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems, it is high time to switch to a newer product, no matter how convenient and familiar the current one may seem. Simply put, the developer no longer maintains the security of these older systems, leaving them poorly protected against attacks from malicious actors.

Using a reliable antivirus program that catches attackers in time and warns you if you have wandered onto an insecure website is a mandatory requirement.

3. Master cybersecurity

Every remote worker should have mastered the basics of cybersecurity. If this has not yet been done, companies can send employees to appropriate training. Currently, these are primarily held online, so employees can expand their knowledge without leaving home. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange with service providers for training to take place at a time convenient for the team.

It is equally important to engage critical thinking in the digital space and analyze whether everything offered or requested of you online is truly safe. This applies to suspicious emails from supposed benefactors and "your bank," as well as offers to download music, movies, games, or other "goodies" for free from sites that are not the official pages of the product owners. History teaches that trying to save a few euros can result in spending hundreds or even thousands to resolve problems caused by viruses.

4. Store data backups in the cloud

Even if you have taken care of computer and network security, it is best to store a copy of important data on an external storage device or a reliable cloud storage service that offers data encryption. Cloud storage is an even better option because it allows you to store multiple copies. If something goes wrong with one server, the information can be recovered from another. Conversely, in the event of damage to or loss of an external hard drive, the data will not be recoverable.