The Secure Path to Remote Success: Online Job Safety Tips

According to the statistics: 40% of employees enjoy the flexibility of working from home, which allows them to have better control over their schedules. Since 2005, the rate of remote work has increased by 140%. Previously, only 5% of Americans worked from home, but this number has risen to 60% after 2020.

While most employees are productive and content in their remote work environments, IT professionals are concerned about the growing threat of cyber-crimes in these remote workplaces. For professionals like transcriptionists bound by confidentiality agreements, one crucial aspect takes center stage: the security of your digital ecosystem. Here are safety tips for online jobs, which are useful for remote employees and simply necessary for businesses with remote work models.

Best work-from-home safety tips

1. Protect your Wi-Fi network

If unauthorized individuals connect to your network, they can intercept all of your online activities, including passwords for remote access to office-based computers or corporate emails. Thus, configuring your network connection correctly becomes imperative.

First and foremost, ensure that your connection is encrypted to safeguard your information from prying eyes. If your Wi-Fi prompts anyone trying to connect for a password, it indicates that the connection is encrypted (thus preventing unauthorized access). However, there are various Wi-Fi encryption standards, and some are already outdated, so it is advisable to opt for WPA2 as your best choice. You can adjust or modify the encryption type using your router settings, and remember, your Wi-Fi password should be strong

2. Use a VPN while working in Public Space

If you're using an Internet connection that isn't your own, like Wi-Fi from a café downstairs or a neighbor's unsecured network, be extra cautious. Public Wi-Fi networks often lack encryption, and even if they have it, anyone can obtain the password.

To protect yourself from being spied on by others connected to the same Wi-Fi network, use a virtual private network (VPN). When you connect through VPN apps, all your data will be encrypted regardless of the network settings, and outsiders won't be able to read it. A powerful VPN for Mac can offer other benefits for remote work: protection against viruses, phishing, and IP and DNS leaks. All of the above can be found with VeePN, including dual VPN, ad blocking, and kill switch. For online jobs, this is a valuable security tool with the ability to bypass regional restrictions.

4. Use 2FA or MFA

Having multiple authentication methods to secure your computer network is always beneficial in the event of cyber-attacks. Although hackers may be able to compromise one defense, they are likely to face difficulties overcoming the remaining barriers, thus ensuring the security of your network.

By implementing MFA for your remote location, cyber-criminals can be prevented from accessing your network as they must successfully pass through two or more verifications before gaining entry.

5. Always lock your devices

When you're enjoying a cup of tea or taking a bathroom break, it's important to lock the screen to maintain the confidentiality of your correspondence. Locking your device is a small inconvenience compared to the importance of safeguarding corporate secrets.

Even if you're working from home and there are no outsiders with access to your workspace, it's still crucial to lock your device. You wouldn't want your child to accidentally send a text full of smileys to your boss, or your cat to walk across the keyboard and send an incomplete message to the board of directors. Before moving elsewhere, remember to lock the screen. And of course, make sure your computer is password-protected.

6. Avoid using external devices

Malware or a virus can infect external devices like thumb drives. If employees insert an infected external device into a company laptop, for example, they can unintentionally compromise it. The malware can upload files, hack software, and even grant a hacker control over the keyboard.

7. Stay vigilant

Sadly, corporate mail can sometimes be infiltrated by a convincingly malicious message. This concern is especially pertinent for remote workers as telecommuting exponentially increases digital communications. Therefore, it is crucial to read messages and avoid rushing into responding. When someone urgently requests an important document or demands immediate payment of an invoice, it is imperative to verify their identity. Do not hesitate to contact the other party for clarification or consult your boss before taking action.

Exercise utmost caution with emails containing links. If a link does not point to a corporate resource, it is advisable to ignore it. Even if the link appears to open a site resembling OneDrive, refrain from entering your credentials. It is better to manually type the OneDrive address in the browser, log in, and attempt to open the file again.

Conclusion

When working remotely, it is important to develop the right personal qualities: restraint, organization, and punctuality. However, in addition to personal qualities, a technical basis must be organized. She will be responsible for safety and will help increase personal productivity. The provided safety tips are indispensable for transcriptionists, serving as a guide to protect both personal data and the integrity of the company from the diverse range of cyber threats that may arise in the remote work landscape.