Three online security basics for working from home

The coronavirus (Covid-19) has forced many of us into the shelter of our homes. While working from home drastically reduces the chance of you getting yourself or others sick, it comes with a set of challenges compared to working in the office, including cybersecurity.

Many people don’t think about the security of their network and devices while at home. Man people are simply not aware of the risks, and it is therefore important to assess risks of working from home. An overview of three cybersecurity mistakes people commonly make and the solutions you need to avoid them. 

1. Using the same password for everything

It is shocking how many people use the same password for all of their accounts. If you use the same password for every account you own, the advice is clear: to change each password to a strong, unique password. Using the same password across all accounts gives cybercriminals and hackers easy access to them if they manage to find out the password for only one of your accounts. 

2. Using unencrypted Wifi

Accessing online banking, paying for tuition, checking on our tax refunds: we do all of these from the shelter of our own homes. And do we think anything of it? No! Why would we? Who could be peering over our shoulders and jotting down the information they see on the screen?

Well, no one, really, but that’s not what you should be worried about. What you should be worried about is a cybercriminal who knows what they’re doing. If you don’t have an encrypted network, a professional cybercriminal could easily access your home network and intercept any data going to-and-from your devices, meaning your data will be in the hands of someone you may not even know. 

To solve this, you could simply buy VPN. A VPN, short for virtual private network, encrypts all of the data transferred – the data going to-and-from your devices. This encryption means your data will always be safe, no matter the methods the cybercriminal would employ. 

3. Never minding physical security

It may come as a shock to many, but cybersecurity does not only concern internet etiquette. No, it also concerns the physical security of your devices. This relates to the way you store your devices, where you place them while using them, and who you let use them. Without practicing adequate physical security, your foray into good cybersecurity will be for naught.

For example, if you use your laptop while having your back to the window, anyone could simply peek through the window and watch your screen. If you don’t secure your devices in a safe place when you’re done using them, anyone could potentially use it and break it or see confidential information. 

Conclusion

Practicing good cybersecurity etiquette is key to staying safe on the internet and keeping your identity intact. This counts double today, where everyone is locked inside and must rely on the security of their networks instead of the security of their business. 

Many cybercriminals have moved on to hacking games, users, and any businesses that may still be open. However, since many users don’t secure their networks, these cybercriminals have a distinct advantage.

The three problems outlined above are the most common problems many face. Fortunately, solving them is as easy as installing a software program and being careful about where you place your devices.