Tips and Advice for Remote Workers

COVID-19 is changing how we work, communicate, and interact with one another. As companies and government departments are encouraging employees who can, to work from home.

For many users this is the first time they have worked from home, so not only is there the stress of the uncertainties around COVID-19 but also an adjustment period to transitioning their work habits. As well as applying for students who are being asked to take their classes online, from home.

These tips and best practices listed below are guidelines to help protect everyone as these changes have created challenges normally taken care of by the IT teams within your company or education place.

This is focused on giving you and your teams actionable tips and habits that can keep everyone secure when working remotely, using mobile devices.

Be Secure When Working Remotely

To stay secure when working remotely, you can do the following:

• Use a secure connection to connect to the company network, such as a VPN

• Only work from home and do not connect to the company network with any unsecured public Wi-Fi.

• Do not share work data and information with the home computer or personal devices.

• Make sure your computer has the latest applications, operating systems, network tools, and internal software installed.

• Ensure your malware protection, virus and anti-spam software is switched on and up to date

• Create new and strong passwords for your laptop, mobile device, and email.

• Use only approved Cloud applications for sharing and storing data like Office 365 one drive

• Avoid storing or printing paper documents with sensitive information at home.

Tips on laptop / Mobile Device Security

Hackers target devices wherever and whenever they can. So attacks on Laptops and Mobiles devises are on the rise.

Disable Bluetooth audio discovery.

Hackers are on the lookout for Bluetooth signals that they can hack and use to connect  Turn off auto-connect.

Never connect to an open or public Wi-Fi network automatically. In fact, the best practice is to never connect to public Wi-Fi that is not password protected.

Use fingerprint security and visual authentication.

Enable the highest level of security and authentication possible on your mobile devices. Make sure all devices are protected by a password that is unique to them.

Keep all software up to date for all apps and operating systems.

Text message scams – Do not respond to text messages from people you do not know. Do not respond to unsolicited text messages from companies or organisations.

Remember the basics – never leave your devices unattended, lock your devices after use, and do not let a stranger use your mobile device.

Be safe, be healthy

Sourced from the Public Internet websites, including Government,  Microsoft,  Terranova, ESet