When we work in large companies, they have very secure shared networks and adequate protection for file sharing. Since then, all businesses understand that their most valuable asset is information.
These cybersecurity privileges are difficult to obtain when working from home. This is why you should consider a system for protecting the information you handle on your local network, in particular to prevent cyberattacks.
Whether you work in a company and are now working from home, or you are starting to work as a freelancer, it is essential that you have adequate protection for your business data.
Moreover, the protection you can provide to your information will also ensure the security of the device you are using. Laptops are the most practical tools for working from home. That’s why here we tell you what are the steps to protect your laptop while you use home networks to work.
Add your own house rules
If you are self-employed or to avoid reprimand from the company, you can establish some ground rules for you and your family regarding the work team:
- Use the work-from-home laptop only for work.
- Use the computer only when you have to work.
- Use a space or room for work, so that the use of confidential information is protected in the environment.
- Use a strong password to lock down your work computer.
Protect your network
A secure Wi-Fi network is the first line of defense against cyber threats. You will therefore need to replace all the router’s default settings, adding a name for the network and a new password.
Remember not to include any personal information in the name of the network, but make sure the family can recognize it by using a word that only you know.
Remember to enable encryption on the Wi-Fi network to protect it, you can use WEP, WPA or WPA2. Most routers come with encryption by default, but you can adjust it in the preferences and use a more secure one that meets your privacy needs.
Always pay attention to devices that connect to your networks. You can limit access to devices or block devices that have connected without your permission. Remember that your children can share the router password so that their friends can use Wi-Fi at home.
As far as you can, it would be ideal to have a Wi-Fi network exclusively for your professional use.
Keep your data private, even in public
VPNs are one of the best ways to protect sensitive business information that you share on your own. These software encrypt the data so that they are not spied on. Because if they are stolen, the person will not be able to understand the information because it is encrypted.
Only the recipient will be able to read the information because it is he who is authorized to decrypt it. In addition to this, VPNs hide the IP address, which does not allow them to track you and know your location.
if you use a dedicated VPN from Cyberghost to hide the IP You will be doubly protected, since the dedicated IP belongs only to you and is much more secure than a shared IP.
In fact, if you’re away from home but urgently need to send something from work, you should use a VPN to send it without compromising the privacy of the information.
update frequently
Operating system updates are easy to miss, as the device continues to work despite an older version. But this is a serious mistake. Since security vulnerabilities are fixed through these updates.
If you don’t know how to update manually, it’s best to turn on automatic updates. Also, don’t forget to update apps and system security features. Additionally, it checks for firmware updates of the router and other Wi-Fi devices monthly.
Finally, if you’re using a company-provided laptop, always consult with your IT department before installing any features or applications on it.
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