Are you a remote worker? Or maybe, you are a company with remote workers? In this case, it is obvious to be worried about cybersecurity. In this blog, we are going to list the most important cybersecurity tips for remote employees.
Let us check them out one by one:
1. Use a Strong Password
Use a difficult and strong password for all your accounts. No one should be able to guess your password easily. Avoid easy and common passwords like 12345, maiden name, birthdate, etc. A remote worker who uses easy to guess passwords is making things easy for hackers. They simply need your email ID, and then, they test the most common passwords to attack you online.
So, make sure you choose strong passwords for all your accounts. Now, you might wonder how to remember all the passwords. Don’t worry! In this case, you can use a reliable password manager that not only secures your credentials but also helps you log in quickly to all your accounts.
2. The SLAM Method for Email Security
Suspicious emails have always caused huge losses to even the smartest and most secure organizations. Such bad emails are disguised as legitimate communication. Sometimes, hackers even use companies’ official logos and signatures to mislead recipients.
So, it is important to learn to differentiate between fake and genuine emails. One way to do so is to use the SLAM method. SLAM stands for:
S – Sender: Carefully recognize the sender and check for errors.
L – Links: On a computer, hovering may reveal a link’s destination without opening it. If a message is suspicious, do not follow its links; verify it through an independently obtained official contact or website.
A – Attachments: Do not open suspicious attachments. Report the message through your employer’s security process and use only its approved scanning workflow; a scan does not prove a file is safe.
M – Messages: It is often difficult to spot a spear phishing or whaling email because these are personalized to recipients. One sign of such emails is that these often contain errors such as weird phrases and spelling mistakes.
3. Keep Your Software Updated
The web is flooded with new cyber threats. Hackers and fraudsters keep experimenting with new tricks to obtain your personal sensitive information. So, it is important to keep your operating systems and software programs updated to stay secure against cyberattacks.
Security updates and up-to-date protection reduce risk, but may not detect or block every new threat immediately. So, make sure you update your systems and software regularly to implement the latest protection levels. But if you ignore these updates, you will miss out on the latest essential security software and put yourself at risk.
4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Scam artists are able to manipulate you into sharing your credentials with them. But if you are using multi-factor authentication, then it becomes difficult for them to access your account. Multi-factor authentication combines different factors to verify identity, using supported methods such as an authenticator app, a security key or a passkey.
With an OTP-based method, the service supplies or an authenticator generates a one-time code for you to enter when prompted. An unexpected code or approval request can indicate an attempted sign-in; do not approve it, and report it through your employer’s security process. In such cases, make sure you never share your codes with anyone. In some scenarios, hackers pretend to be authorities and request the OTP they have allegedly sent to your verified device.
5. Use a Trusted VPN
Remote workers connect to a company using a Wi-Fi connection at home, a coffee shop, or a coworking space. Home and public networks may be outside the employer’s control; use its approved connection and device-security measures. Cyber attackers keep an eye on the internet traffic moving on public networks. Unprotected traffic on an untrusted network may be intercepted; secure HTTPS connections and employer-approved controls reduce this risk.
Use your employer’s approved VPN where required to protect traffic routed through it; it does not guarantee anonymity. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN endpoint; it does not protect every later connection or prevent phishing and device compromise.
Other Cybersecurity Tips for Remote Workers
- Use only devices and software systems approved by your company. Avoid using personal tablets, computers, and mobile phones to work.
- Keep your router’s software updated to the most current updates for security and efficiency.
- Keep your passwords, one-time codes and authentication approvals private; use employer-approved delegated access instead of sharing credentials.
- If you suspect a security problem, contact your company’s IT support team.
For a work-device or account concern, follow your employer’s reporting process and contact its IT team. For personal-device issues, contact 73inc to discuss assessment.
