We have all heard horror stories about online data theft, but for many of us, that has not translated into a good sense of how to make ourselves less vulnerable to these kinds of threats. Perhaps working from home over the past several months has made you more alert to these risks and you are looking to take more independent responsibility for protecting your data? If so, have a look through some of our top tips to keeping your data secure when working from home below!
- Create high-strength passwords and remember to change them frequently. If possible, try to resist the temptation to save your passwords on your devices, as this makes it much easier for criminals to access your data. If you do need to store your passwords online, look into doing so via a secure password manager.
- Install and maintain strong anti-malware protections. These cybersecurity programs are designed to identify, protect against and eliminate all manner of malicious software, including viruses, hacks, ransomware, and other ever-evolving threats to improve the safety of your online experience.
- Take note of the privacy setting pop-ups on your apps and web browsers! It’s all too easy for our eyes to glaze over at these notifications, but it’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking the privacy settings so that you know how much of your information is being shared. When given the choice, you should always choose the least amount of data sharing possible.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi networks can seem like a blessing, but they open you up to a host of security threats. Unlike most home Wi-Fi connections, public Wi-Fi is usually not encrypted, leaving you at risk of having your online activity monitored by untrustworthy third parties. Public Wi-Fi also increases the chances of having your device infected by malware from someone else’s device.
- Always make sure that your operating system is up to date. Although this can seem like a time-consuming hassle, it’s vital for the security of your devices. OS updates should not be regarded as merely cosmetic improvement; they often resolve security issues that have emerged or been identified with a previous OS.
- Be careful with your Bluetooth. Although Bluetooth technology can be extremely useful and convenient, it can also create major chinks in the armour of your devices. Some malicious apps are able to use Bluetooth to expose your device to threats, leaving your data vulnerable to theft and misuse, so you must remember to turn Bluetooth off completely whenever you are not using it.
