How At-Home Workers Can Improve Their Security Practices

The number of people that work from home is steadily on the rise, and it is easy to see why. Although there are many benefits, there are also a few drawbacks, and one of the major ones is that it is down to the individual to establish their own security practices. Cybercrime is a huge problem with many threats out there, and hackers and cybercriminals are likely to target those without a great deal of protection, such as many home-workers. So, if you work from home and want to boost your security practices then read on for a few suggestions.

Account Control

First, you will need to make sure that nobody can access your various accounts. This can be achieved by creating complex passwords and different ones for different accounts. If you have trouble remembering these, you can use password management software where one master password will need to be remembered - do not write this down anywhere and particularly in your home office. You could add another layer of security through two-factor authentication.

Network Security

Next, you need to secure your network to stop people from gaining access. This can easily be done with a password and a high-quality firewall from a specialist like sonicwallonline.co.uk. If you are ever working in a public space, such as a coffee shop or at the airport, make sure that you are using a virtual private network (VPN).

Anti-Virus Software

One of the most important ways to improve your security practices is to install a high-quality anti-virus software which will scan, detect and remove any threats. Be sure to keep this (and all of your software and operating system) updated at all times.

Surfing & Social Media Safety

When using the internet at home, make sure that you are surfing safely by visiting secured websites and avoid entering sensitive data anywhere that seems suspicious. Additionally, be sure to review your privacy settings on social media and do not share any personal information here - even if it is a connection asking for this information as it could be a hacker instead.

Backing Up

Backing up to an external device is always a good idea and another way to improve security practices. If sensitive data is corrupted, it can be easy to restore with a backup, plus you are also protected against ransomware if you have backup data.

Offline Security

In addition to all of this, every homeworker should also consider how they can secure their home office and home to protect themselves, their family and their property. There are a few ways that you can do this, including intruder alarms, CCTV cameras, storing valuables in a safe and keycode entry to the home office.

With more and more people working from home, it is important that these people know how to protect themselves when it comes to using a computer and particularly if they have a lot of sensitive data (such as customer information). The above are the best practices to boost security and keep your computer, personal information, home and family safe.