Hundreds of companies have begun viewing remote working as a viable option due to the COVID pandemic. It’s safe to say that remote working will continue far after the pandemic, as well.
And while many remote workers enjoy not having to get dressed and deal with the morning commute every day, there are a few downsides to working from home, including the lack of security. Today, let’s go over the dangers looming over remote workers and how remote workers can protect themselves.
3 Risks Facing Remote Workers
1. Phishing Scams
A large subset of cybercriminals does what they do for financial gain. And what better way to make a profit than tricking unsuspecting Internet users into giving away money and their personal information?
Scams that aim to do just that are known as phishing scams, and they are everywhere. From spam emails to random private messages on social media, phishing scams can be found on any part of the Internet. Many fall for phishing scams.
2. Malware Infections
All it takes is a visit to the wrong site, a misclick of a random link, to infect a device with malware. Malware, short for “malicious software,” takes many forms, from programs that log user data and send the data to the author of the program (spyware) to software that makes annoying ads pop up every few seconds (adware).
Malware can kill devices, infect an entire network, and put a victim’s identity in jeopardy.
3. Data Breaches
Various companies in the past decade have suffered data breaches, an incident that occurs when large sets of data are leaked to the public without consent from the initial holder of the data. A good example of a data breach is the Equifax incident, where over half of Americans’ information was leaked.
Data breaches can spell the end of small businesses, so it’s important that remote workers avoid them at all costs.
How Remote Workers Can Secure Their Networks
1. Separate Work Devices from Personal Devices (and Use Security Software on Both)
Work-life and personal life should never be mixed together, especially when it comes to data. Remote workers should use a separate computer or phone to do work on if possible. Fortunately, many companies have begun issuing work devices, so workers don’t have to buy their own.
However, both personal and work devices should use a VPN for remote workers in the UK. VPNs add an extra layer of security that makes sure data is never leaked or stolen.
2. Study Phishing Scams and How They Work
It’s impossible to completely avoid phishing scams. They pop up everywhere! Instead of trying to run from phishing scams, remote workers should study the types of phishing scams that are in circulation and their identifiers. Learning how phishing scams present themselves is key to protecting yourself and your device.
3. Always Update Your Devices
Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, LG, and other device manufacturers frequently push out updates for their devices that not only add new features and quality-of-life improvements but also add security patches.
New exploits are always being found. New malware frequently enters circulation. These security patches help keep your devices and software free of said exploits and malware.
Conclusion
While remote working comes with its own upsides, workers are forced to deal with the harsh reality of Internet security: it’s subpar. Fortunately, there are plenty of third-party solutions available to help remote workers secure themselves and their devices.
