The number of remote workers across the globe has increased exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic. For those who enjoy the flexibility and freedom that working from home provides, this has been a great change in company policy and infrastructure.
However, for those who are struggling to get to grips with working away from the office, this change has been harder to adapt to. Here are five steps that you can take to make sure that your online work stays safe.
Create Secure Passwords
You would be surprised to find how many people lose access to important documents because their passwords are too predictable. Stay away from using personal information as a password.
Instead, try to include as many numbers, letters, and characters as you can. This may be more difficult to remember, but it can help keep your data safe.
Use a VPN
A virtual private network, also known as a VPN, is an efficient way to help keep all of your data secure. A VPN helps grant you online privacy and anonymity by fashioning a private network from public internet connections.
If you enjoy working from public spaces like coffee shops and libraries, you should seriously consider using a VPN. This will deter hackers and cybercriminals from accessing any sensitive data.
Backup Your Work
We’ve all heard our fair share of horror stories when it comes to forgetting to back up work or data. You never know when your computer could frazzle, or a drink could spill over your hard drive.
Using a cloud service like Dropbox or an online drive like Google Drive can help avoid these unforeseeable accidents. If you struggle to get to grips with some of these services, check out this guide as well as the many more that are available online.
Double-Check Links Before Accessing Them
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, many more people have increased the time they spend online. This has created the perfect environment for cyber-criminals to take advantage of.
Hackers will try to entice people into clicking on dangerous links with unsolicited e-mails or messages. They typically bait people with information about sensitive topics like covid, or vaccines, as well as with countless other sc
ams. Make sure you trust the person who is sending you the link and be wary of messages from people you don’t personally know.
Use Antivirus Software
Finally, you should invest in antivirus software. This will give you an even greater barrier of protection between you and anyone trying to steal sensitive information. Antivirus software can also help your computer run faster and more efficiently.
Digital advancements have made working away from the office much easier, however, there is always an added level of risk associated with keeping all of your work on a single laptop. Anything from accidents to robberies can happen, so it’s best to be safe rather than sorry. Make sure to take our advice on board and work as safely as possible.
