Below are 7 top cyber security recommendations when working from home during The COVID-19 pandemic. Both Vertex Security and the ACSC (Australian Cyber Security Centre) offer these recommendations because working from home has specific cyber security risks.
Unfortunately, targeted cybercrime is on the rise and access to your information can have a devastating effect on both your finances and your work life.
Beware of Scams
Cybercriminals may try to turn a crisis into an opportunity. They may try to use the COVID-19 pandemic disruption to scam you and gain access to your systems. While working from home we recommend being extra cautious when opening messages, attachments, or clicking on links from unknown senders. As well as be wary of any personal details, passwords or bank detail requests.
Always Use Strong and Unique Passwords
Strong passwords are more important than ever right now. Be sure to use a strong and unique passphrase on all your devices including as laptops, mobile phones and tablets.
Use a different passphrase for each website and app, particularly those that store your credit card details or personal information. To use the same username (such as an email address) and passphrase for multiple accounts means that if one is compromised, they are all at risk.
Implement Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorised access to computers, applications and online services. It makes it much harder to access your systems. Cybercriminals might manage to steal one type of proof of identity but it is very difficult to steal the correct combination of several proofs for any given account.
You can view the ACSC Step-by-Step Guides – Turning on Two-Factor Authentication
Update Your Software And Operating Systems
Software updates are often developed to address security issues. So, it’s important to allow automatic updates on your devices. Updates also often include new security features that protect your data and device.
Training Your Employees To Be Cyber Safe
Working from home has different cyber security risks and threats that need to be understood and managed differently.
We can perform our audit’s remotely with Zoom or Google Meet. Through some simple questions and our technology we can gather all the information to perform our assessment and provide an Audit report. Our Audit report includes an explanation of each Cyber Risk and the actions you and your employees need to take to reduce the risk.
Find out more about our Work From Home Cyber Security Audit.
Use Trusted Wi-Fi
Often free wireless internet networks can put your information at risk and can expose your browsing activity to cybercriminals. Cybercriminals have also been known to set up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots with names that look legitimate and can intercept communications, steal your banking credentials, account passwords, and other valuable information.
Use trusted connections when working from home, such as your home internet or mobile internet service, or VPN provided by your work.
Avoid Using Portable Storage Devices
If possible, transfer files in more secure ways than USB drives, such as your organisation’s cloud storage or collaboration solutions. When using USBs and external drives, make sure they are protected with encryption and passphrases.
