The global pandemic essentially put the world on a forced pause for most of 2020. While many companies or organizations were forced to shut down entirely, a good number have been able to pivot. Working remotely has become more of a norm, and several businesses have made the switch to having their employees work from home where possible.
The WFH set up has proven mostly successful. Of course, it comes with certain requirements and necessary precautions. One of the most important factors is digital security. Aside from basic computer hardware maintenance, the software also has to be looked into.
Let’s look at some of the best tips to stay digitally secure during work-from-home sessions.
Keep the OS Updated
If you are the kind of person who tends to ignore or skip pesky reminders that pop up about updating your operating system (OS), you are not alone. However, ignoring them is not the way to go. These updates are specifically designed to keep your computer safer and prevent vulnerabilities in an outdated system from being exploited by hackers.
For example, if you run Windows 7, you may not know that the end of life was back in January 2020. This means no more updates are available and your PC or laptop is now a major security risk. Consistently updating your operating system allows it to remain compatible with important programs and anti-virus software.
Upgrade Your Internet Browsers Regularly
Most people save passwords in their bookmark menus and the like. Hackers and even malicious websites can easily exploit flaws in security that browsers may develop over time. When this happens, your computer could become compromised through various harmful programs, trojans, and viruses.
Updating your browser regularly to fix any security issues as soon as they’ve been detected is stress-free and shouldn’t take too much time, especially not compared to the hassle that will go into any virus removal needed later on.
Make Sure Your Router Is Secure
There is no question that your home router is used a lot by default, but the traffic filtering through it has no doubt doubled, if not tripled, over the quarantine period. Commonly, routers for residential purposes are provided by the internet service provider used. They already have security filters installed and enabled. However, it is highly beneficial to do a routine check on how secure it is from time to time.
You should have the latest hardware from your ISP that has all of the most up-to-date security features. If you do not, you should be able to request for a swap without needing to shell out any funds for upgrading. Routers can also grow outdated with age, and a number of the older models may no longer have the correct modem features to keep possible attackers from gaining access to your network.
Conclusion
Resting solely on one’s laurels in terms of digital security can lead to problems later on. This is especially notable if you regularly access a common database with other co-workers. Working from home is incredibly helpful during these pandemic times, but you can’t be too careful. Although cybersecurity threats abound, you can lessen the risk by having your software and hardware inspected regularly or repaired or replaced if necessary.
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