How to Protect Data from Cyber-Attacks while Working From Home During COVID-19

Coronavirus and Cyber-Attackers

The world is facing a global crisis that has led most of the world to shut down and stay at home. More than 80% of offices around the globe have fully or partially closed, while millions of people have lost their jobs. Work from home has become a common practice for the ones who still have their jobs.

As much of a blessing as it is to stay at home and work, there are also some drawbacks to working from home. While it is relatively easy to overcome challenges like distractions and lack of focus, threats concerning cyber-attacks are harder to fight. Even during Coronavirus, cyber attackers are trying to invade your privacy for malignant purposes.

Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the vulnerable situation by exploiting various organizations, especially those in the financial sector. This is the time where organizations need to be vigilant about their security and data. Through phishing, malware, and other sophisticated hacking strategies, online criminals are continually trying to steal your data.

Normally, the security measures adopted by companies are enough to thwart these attackers. However, since people are working from home, most of them have an unsecured network that cybercriminals find easy to hack. SentryBay’s Chief executive warned that the number of cyber attackers would increase by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So how can you protect your data? We have compiled a few useful tips, they are:

How Can You Protect Yourself from Hackers: Tips for Individuals

As an individual here are a few ways you can protect yourself from cyber-attacks while working from home during COVID-19:

Password protection

Employees working remotely should pay attention to their passwords. You can ensure password protection through:

• A complex combination of characters and symbols in your password
• Two-way authentication
• Keep updating your passwords frequently

Update your software/ system

You must install new updates timely, including software, PC, and even app updates to stay protected from viruses and malicious threats. Updates for personal use devices are also recommended.

Use Business VPNs

There are several virtual private networks around the globe, but using a business VPN can be safe and secure. A business VPN safeguards the data and information being transmitted between the employees working for the organization. Business VPNs can also help protect you from any third party intrusion for malware or virus injection to your system. Employees using a business VPN are less likely to get cyber-attacked.

• Better security with business or corporate VPN
• Data remains protected
• Data sharing is easy and reliable
• Access to data remotely
• Avoid censorship

Wi-Fi Access Points Security

Different people use different types of internet services depending on their budget. To insulate yourself against hacking attempts, choose a safe internet provider that uses coaxial cables or fiber optics to provide a smooth and secure network. You must secure your Wi-Fi access point by changing the settings and updating passwords so that your device remains safe from getting affected with other devices connected to the network. This is a precautionary measure that can keep your device and data secure from cyber-criminals and any theft of information or have access to your files.

Keep a separate device for work

You should not use the same device for work and personal use. Using specific portals and services or software relevant to your work on your personal laptop can be dangerous for your privacy. It is recommended to keep the two devices separate from each other.

COVID scams

Be vigilant and careful about phishing emails with COVID-19 as a subject. Hackers and cyber-attackers are using these tactics to phish and invade into your laptop to steal sensitive information. Stay careful about the links and websites you are opening and don’t fall prey to these tactics.

Examples of such email subjects are:

• Health Advisory – COVID 2020
• COVID19- how to stay safe
• Warning! Coronavirus
• WHO tips for Coronavirus

These emails may have attachments such as:

• Coronavirus_precautions.zip
• Advise_Coronavirus.xslx
• Coronavirus attention.exe

Other scams include selling protective suits and sanitizers at low cost, fake online books about COVID-19 precautions, and other tactics to get your personal details. Be careful of these gimmicks played by the cyber-bullies.

Organizations and Cyber-security: Tips for Companies

Organizations must also pay extra attention to ensure the safety of their important assets, portals, and other confidential data. A few recommendations for business owners to practice during COVID crisis are mentioned below:

Threat of spammers

Business owners must vigilantly work along with IT and security teams to figure out how to ensure safety to their systems as well as their employee’s from cyber attackers. The protection of sensitive information and documents must be prioritized to mitigate the threat of security. Using End-to-End encrypted platforms is one easy solution.

Guidelines and Instructions

The policies defined for your employees must be clear so that every employee is briefed on how to stay secure from any kind of cyber-attack. It is your organization’s duty to form SOP’s for special circumstances and ensure that they have been communicated to the employees. The instructions must have easy-to-follow steps and guidelines for people who aren’t tech-savvy. You must also provide them with a helpline for any suspicious activity found on their systems.

Well-Equipped Devices

Companies must ensure that each working device with the employee is enabled with security software. This can provide your employees with a sense of security as well as keep your information safe and intact from cyberbullies.

• Ensure safe and easy communication
• Encryption across all devices and networks
• Multifactor authentication that can allow the user to access systems and files after appropriate proof of evidence

Conclusion

As the bulk of the world’s workforce continues to work from home, the need for more secure and seamless solutions for remote working and collaboration are essential. Cyber attackers are always in search of vulnerabilities, and with the mass shift of people working from home, they have found it as an opportunity to steal valuable information out of systems. By using secure and encrypted networks and following best online practices, we can avoid these threats.

Which practices are using? Share with our readers to spread the good word!