These days, more and more people are working from home. You want to make sure all of your data online is staying safe. While you may think that at home you cannot be hacked, this couldn't be further from the truth. Let’s look at some ways in which you can make sure you are keeping safe while online.
Safety while online
When you are sur?ng the internet, you are most vulnerable to cyberattacks. Some hackers can gain access while you’re online. Then, they can access all your information even when you’re of?ine. Some things you can do while online to stay safe are:
? Work at home
One of the most important things you should be doing is working from your home network. Generally this network is secure and makes it much safer than public networks. If you must use a public network such as a cafe, or airport Wi-Fi that is unsecured, it is a good idea to use a VPN. A VPN encrypts your data and helps hide your location, making it much harder for malicious attacks. An example of a VPN software is surfshark. Make sure you always use one when not on a secured network.
? Stay logged in
Many websites give you the option, when logging in, to stay logged in. It is good practice to stay logged in to most websites. The reason being that if you are putting in your details every time you visit that site, there is an increased chance of inputting your login details into fake websites.
? Emails and links
Always be diligent when getting links from friends or family. Many hackers will send links to a photo or funny video and when it is clicked a virus is uploaded. Double-check with anyone who sends you random links to make sure they actually sent it.
Email is another big problem. According to USA Today, hackers have begun to use different letters such as Cyrillic alphabet characters to create fake email addresses. Always double-check with your bank to see if they have emailed you.
Safety on your device
Safety while online is important, but there are also things you can do on your devices to ensure your safety.
? Install security updates
While it can be annoying to get noti?cations about updates, it is critical to keep your devices up to date. Companies are constantly improving their security and searching for weaknesses in their software. They constantly update their software to ?x this.
? Use 2-factor authentication
Add another factor to your account. This means that in order to log in, you will be sent an email or text, something to make sure it is really you logging in. According to NYTimes, you can even set up some of these through settings in your phone.
This may seem like an obvious one, but you should be using a strong password. In addition, it is never a good idea to use the same password for several websites. Keep them written down somewhere safe if you can’t remember them all.
Conclusion
Staying safe online should always be your main priority. Especially with the huge rise in people working from home. This has given hackers many more opportunities to create cyberattacks. Finally, we hope you can use these small, simple steps to keep you and your information safe, no matter where you are.
