Disclosure: This blog post contains links to one or more of our advertisers’ products. We might receive compensation when you click on links to those products. To learn more, visit our advertising policy page.
Whether you’ve been working from home for years or you’ve just started, it’s important to look for ways to maintain your privacy and security online. Working at home usually means you’re responsible for protecting your data yourself rather than relying on your company for web security. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your work and personal data safe by following the tips below.
Protect Your Computer and Data
Without having the right protection and taking precautions, it doesn’t matter how safe your internet habits are. Make sure you follow these tips for keeping your computer and information safe.
- Back up your data in the event that something happens to your device and you need to restore files.
- It might be annoying to stay on top of software updates that restart your system, but these often include important patches for security issues.
- Always use strong passwords that are less susceptible to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
- Be sure to change your passwords regularly. It might seem excessive, but experts recommend changing passwords every month!
- In the same vein, ensure that your home Wi-Fi network is secure and has a strong password.
Keep Your Work and Personal Life Separate
If you work with sensitive materials or want to keep your company from getting a glimpse into your personal life, it’s important to set up your workspace accordingly. Here are a few tips for keeping everything separate.
- Creating a dedicated workspace in a separate bedroom will naturally give you more privacy.
- If you video-chat with colleagues on Zoom Video Communications or other similar apps, use a virtual background to prevent them from seeing your messy home.
- Be cautious about using the same computer for work and personal use, especially if you are using company-provided tech at home.
- If you can’t keep your personal and work files separate on the same computer, you might want to get a second computer. While you’re at it, invest in a monitor with a better screen resolution.
Stay Safe When Socializing
Working from home can quickly become lonely, but fortunately, there are lots of ways to connect with others online. Here are some ways to protect your privacy when socializing with others.
- If you join an online group to connect with others, don’t use or give out personally-identifying information like your real name, birthday, or address.
- When using social media sites, check your privacy settings to make sure you’re not sharing more than you intend.
- It’s always a good idea to log out of your accounts when you’re not using them, even if this is less convenient.
- Be mindful that what you share and post on social media may be visible to anyone, including your employer. This may matter more in the hiring process, but it still remains true that your online social activity can affect your job.
Working from home comes with a bit more freedom, but you also have to be more cautious about computer security when you’re not relying on company servers. Being vigilant about passwords, keeping your work life separate, installing antivirus software, and using safe browsing habits are all good ideas for protecting your data at home.
Guest Blog Contributor
Erica Francis | ReadyJob.org
If you’re interested in taking advantage of the benefits of Systems integration, schedule a discovery call to consult with one of our experts. Through collaboration, we can help you get your aims and boost your sales.
