Tips to secure your internet connection when working from home

If you are a remote worker, it’s up to you to follow your company’s remote work policies and to keep their information safe, just as you keep your banking and personal info safe. Remember, over 75% of targeted cyberattacks start with a simple email.

Since the pandemic hit in 2020, remote work became a possibility for millions more of us. That trend is continuing through 2023 and it’s critical that home workers take cybersecurity seriously. In fact, in 2020, “one report showed that 20% of organizations experienced a breach because of a remote worker,” reported CyberTalk.org.

The company also reports that some remote-worker-enabled companies are being proactive:

• 73% use virtual private networks
• 46% use multi-factor authentication
• 18% use device risk posture check
• 16% use Zero Trust Network Access

There are several ways you can also ensure your company’s information is protected. Best practices include:

• Limit access to work-related info on your personal devices
• Follow company procedures exactly in regard to your work
• Pay close attention to unsolicited email or text scams for phishing
• Only use the apps and programs allowed by your employer
• Do not conduct personal business on company equipment

Secure your home Wi-Fi network

A hacker hitting your Twitter account from your home network is one thing. A cybercriminal accessing sensitive company data because your home network isn’t secure? That’s a whole new set of problems for both you and your employer. With a few simple steps, you can lock down security on your home Wi-Fi service.

Start with your router

To start securing your home network, there are two passwords on your router that you’ll need to reset:

1. Wi-Fi network password: Connects your devices to the network. 
2. Router administration password: Allows you to access the administration side of your router to change settings. 

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Most companies will require you to sign in on their own VPN, but if they don’t, you can take it upon yourself to select and install your own VPN based on the security you require.

The WPA2 protection featured in your router encrypts your data so it’s difficult to intercept and decipher. But, this is only a minimum requirement for a secure internet connection. A VPN goes the extra mile to protect your data between networks by cloaking your IP address and routing your web traffic through an encrypted tunnel. 

A VPN, like ExpressVPN, creates a safe channel for data transport by requiring authentication through passwords and unique ID methods for access. This is invaluable since the internet is a largely unsecured network. 

Protect and store your files the right way

Most companies also have policies on how you storage documents and files, so make sure to review those before you begin work.

Hackers could intercept data in the cloud through stolen or compromised mobile devices and even through wireless medical devices. Identify your most sensitive data, how long you’ll need to store it or if you’ll collaborate with others on it.

Whole-disk encryption is a process in which data is converted into code or stored on a USB drive or other portable device for transfer. The data can be accessed only with a passphrase.

Protect your equipment

You are responsible for the equipment that your company gives you to work on. When traveling on business, keep your company devices with you at all times and keep their passwords and encryptions active. 

Do not access the internet via a public Wi-Fi network. You are simply opening the door for hackers at that point. 

Keep an eye out for threats in disguise

Just because you’re in the comfort of your own home, doesn’t mean malicious links and other malware threats can’t find their way to your computer. Be cautious of unknown URLs. Even if you’re just curious, don’t click on a link without hovering over it first to see if you recognize the address. Even so, these links are designed to look non-threatening, so when in doubt, don’t click at all. 

Wrapping up

Before you accept that new remote position or if you need to beef-up your home network, reach out to your company’s IT and security departments. Ask questions about policies and procedures to make sure you are following them correctly and doing your part to keep their information secure.

Visit Allconnect’s Research Hub for more information on broadband trends, use and availability.