It is
important for business executives to emphasize cybersecurity for remote workers
to protect sensitive information. The need to keep our gadgets safe from
malicious hackers has increased recently, with more businesses moving toward a
remote workforce.
Remote workers
have a responsibility to safeguard sensitive information. They can do this by
avoiding any actions that could compromise security. In this article, we will
review the dangers remote employees face and the measures to keep them safe.
The Major Threats to Remote Business Security
Remote workers
are often the first affected when a security breach occurs. Unfortunately, most
blame falls on them in case of security breaches in the network that spread
rapidly. Yet, mobile devices like laptops and phones are prone to security
issues even without remote employees.
The following
are significant security risks associated with remote work that companies
should be aware of.
Spam Emails to Access Sensitive Data
Hackers use
phishing scams to trick victims into divulging personal information, such as
login credentials. In 2019, phishing emails resulted in over $3.5 billion in
theft from people and organizations. Online players are also victims of this.
Cybercriminals may target them as they enjoy the best
no deposit bonuses.
Using Weak Passwords
You must
create password limitations. Firms neglect this simple step of implementing a
system of routine password updates.
The Use of Unsecured Mobile Devices and Wireless Networks
Freelancers,
consultants, and partners use unsafe networks and gadgets to do their business.
This leaves them open to cyber attacks that are less typical in an office
setting.
Poor Recovery and Backup Procedures
A solid backup
and recovery strategy protects your company from disaster. You should have
remote access to a team of professionals to shift from a reactive to a
preventative maintenance mindset.
Attacks via Videos
Zoom-bombing
is where hackers take over video conferences to propagate malware. It has
become increasingly common, especially when using the software Zoom. Ensure
that you're utilizing secure protocols for your video chats.
Without
significant cybersecurity threats, some advantages come with remote working
employees.
Advantages of Remote Working
Remote
employment has positive effects on workers, which include:
●
The increasingly flexible work
schedules.
●
Staff morale and output both go
up.
●
Minimized disruptions from
coworkers.
●
Lowering the company's
overhead.
●
Reduced work hours mean more
time to spend with loved ones.
However, the
convenience of working from home comes with responsibilities. Employees should
safeguard sensitive company information when online.
Safety Security Advice for Remote Employees
Protect Your Home Router
Unfortunately,
many people don't bother updating the default passcode on their residence's
router. This leaves their network open to attack. Easy ways to prevent
unauthorized access to your home network are through:
●
Changing the default password
for your router and creating strong passwords.
●
Upgrading the firmware as soon
as patches become available.
Doing so is
essential to prevent exploits of known vulnerabilities.
Invest in Home Office Security
Working from
home doesn't mean you can ignore physical safety. PCs are easy targets for
thieves when left lying around in the garden, the living room, or the home
office.
Put your
laptop away and close your home office door when you leave to make lunch.
Maintain the same level of safety in your home office as you would in any other
workplace.
Install a Virus Protection Program
Antivirus
software helps ward off malicious software, including:
- Viruses
- Trojans
- Ransomware
- Spyware
- Rootkits
Defending your
computer against viruses is precisely what antivirus software does. It
identifies the virus, if present, and then eradicates it from the machine. The
finest antivirus programs are preventative and reactive. They can remove
existing malware and protect your system from new infections.
Upgrade to the Latest Operating System Version
Some
vulnerabilities may remain unpatched for months or even years after discovery.
It can be possible despite using a supported operating system. You can mitigate
this threat by applying security patches to all connected devices. You can do
so through automatic updates.
Most gadgets
with an up-to-date operating system automatically install updates. Specific
computers may need a restart to apply changes.
Activate Automatic Locking
Always lock
your device before leaving it unattended. Whether working from home or in a
shared office, ensure it is safe by locking it. As human beings, our problem is
that we forget.
When this
occurs, automatic locking protects our gadgets while we're away. Configure a
timeout that is enough but not excessive. For example:
●
For mobile phones, set 30
seconds.
●
For desktops, set five minutes.
Today, most
smartphones include an automatic locking feature that is always on.
Erase Your Data Before Giving, Selling, or Discarding a Device
You must
restore an old gadget to its original settings before lending or selling it.
This will ensure that no one can access your information if they gain access to
your lost device. Ensure you have a backup or transferred anything of value off
the device before disposal.
Encrypt Your Gadgets
Encryption is
crucial to minimizing the security risk of lost or stolen devices. It acts as a
way of advancing security features. It achieves this by stopping third parties
from accessing the gadget's data without:
- Biometrics
- PIN
- Password
You should
switch it on if your company hasn't already. Encryption is the method of
encoding data so that only the intended recipients can read it. It does not
safeguard against interception but intercepts messages unintelligibly.
How you
activate encryption will vary by gadget:
●
On a macOS machine: Activate
FileVault.
●
For Windows: Activate
BitLocker.
●
For Android devices: This
feature has been automatically activated since version 6.
●
For Linux: Try dm-crypt or a
compatible program.
●
iOS: Activated by default as of
iOS 8.
Upgrade to the Latest Software Version
The operating
systems are not the lone target of exploitation. Browsers are a popular target,
but any program is vulnerable. Applying the latest software updates is crucial
for the reasons mentioned earlier.
These days,
most programs will check for and install any necessary security updates.
Verifying that you're using the most recent version of the software is crucial.
Install an Authenticator App and Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor
authentication requires the user to provide two different forms of
identification. Without this, you cannot gain remote access to a system. With
this in place, malware and phishing email infections reduce. An attacker who
obtains your password will need the second verification piece to log in.
Someone
infringing on your account would need access to your authenticator mobile app.
They will also need a security password to get a valid one-time code and login.
Passwords are the primary and most used form of authentication. The second can
be anything from a simple push notification to a one-time code.
While SMS is
helpful in many situations, it is unsuitable for the second part.
Cybercriminals have a way of figuring out how to engineer phone companies. They
succeed by porting their victims' numbers to new sim cards.
You can use a
two-factor authentication app like Duo. Authy and Google
Authenticator are two other viable options.
Get Yourself a Password Manager
You should buy
one if your employer doesn't offer a password manager. They make it easier to
generate and remember complex passwords. They also share those data and login
credentials with friends, family, and coworkers.
Additionally,
they ease the practice of employing different passwords for every website. This
has made it possible to reuse a password without compromising the security of
your other accounts. If your password becomes known, your other accounts are
safe.
Password
managers can keep sensitive data like:
- Credit card numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Private notes
Some even make
it simpler to install two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
When linked to
a VPN, it's as if your computer or device were directly connected to the
private network. It is possible even if it's using the public network. They
create a private, encrypted link between your device and a server and redirect
your data. By doing so it,
●
Protects your data while using
public Wi-Fi.
●
Permits access to your private
data remotely.
Using a VPN
can lessen your vulnerability to assaults like man-in-the-middle (MITM)
attacks. VPNs make it more challenging to track your online activity. They can
also:
●
Hide your online activities
from your ISP.
●
Prevent websites from
determining your precise location.
How Can Employees Improve Cybersecurity Measures?
Buy Password Management Software for the Whole Company
Refrain from
assuming that your staff will buy password managers on their own. You can
reduce the likelihood that workers will reuse passwords. You should give them
simple tools for establishing and remembering unique passwords.
Utilise Security Metrics to Check Cybersecurity Performance
Security
metrics are numbers that show how well an organization is doing at taking steps
to lower hacking risks. You can use security measures to check:
- A company's compliance with security standards.
- Information safety management needs.
You should set
up ways to measure how well workers follow information security rules while
working remotely.
Make an Investment in Cybersecurity Education
Hackers always
seek novel methods to breach security and steal private data. Instruct your
employees to:
●
Keep their eyes out for malware
files and email-based fraud.
●
Create strong passwords and use
advanced security features.
●
Learn to spot a phishing, whaling
attack or spear-phishing.
●
Apply operational security
measures to their public social media profiles and accounts. It will guard
against hacking, cyber security risks, and spying on the company.
●
Learn to detect threats such as
domain name stealing and typosquatting.
●
Never trust or install browser
plugins created by a company you can't verify.
●
Avoid software updates
installation. Users should instead use reliable, regularly updated SaaS
programs.
Learning about cybersecurity is a continuous
process. Keep your eye on to catch up with all updations.
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Oct 20, 22:28
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