Since we are in the new normal, it is a good idea to adopt your own security practices. Here are a couple of tips to help you navigate cybersecurity in the new work environment.
Routers
In addition to the usual good security practices like strong passwords, never posting your password on a sticky note on the bulletin board behind you to be seen by everyone you Zoom with, observing good download hygiene, and harboring a healthy amount of suspicion of email attachments, etc., here are a few more things you can do to secure working from home:
- If possible, do not use the ISP-provided modem/Wi-Fi.
- If you can’t avoid the ISP equipment, bypass their Wi-Fi and use your own router where you will – for the love of everything holy – change your router admin password to something very long and very hard to brute-force!
- Even if you use the ISP-provided router, you WILL change the admin password per above. Yes, you absolutely will. Promise me.
- Make sure your router is encrypting traffic with WPA2 or WPA3.
Encrypted VPN
What is a VPN? It’s an acronym for “Virtual Private Network”. A VPN makes your connection on a public network private. Public networks are unsafe because they are like being in a big crowd. When you are in public, you keep your wallet in your bag or pocket, right? An encrypted VPN “scrambles” and shields your data as it travels between your device and its destination, kind of like keeping your wallet protected.
Please note that an encrypted VPN keeps your data private, but it does not make you anonymous. Anonymity isn’t the goal. Your security is.
Written by: Diane Jones
https://kallesgroup.com/
