Working from home has become more a part of company cultures, and bad guys have ramped up their tactics to take advantage of workers who are new to the process or have weak home security.
When you are working from home, it's important to protect your devices and personal information. Here are some tips on how to work securely from your home office.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) or other secure access when logging onto your company network. Most companies have a corporate VPN which creates a secure connection to the company network as if you were in the building. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel inside of a public network. Your data passes through the protective tunnel, preventing bad guys from snooping on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
- Secure your WI-FI network. It’s important to make sure your home WI-FI is protected and able to handle sensitive traffic, even with a VPN. Make sure your home network has a complex and unique password. This is a quick defense against bad guys who can guess many simple passwords or may have lists of default passwords. Check out our blog on how to create secure passwords. If needed, consumers with AT&T Internet can easily change their passwords with the AT&T Smart Home Manager app.
- Check your speed and WI-FI strength. Compared with the connection in your office, your home internet may seem inconsistent – strong in one room, but weak in another. If you’re going to be working from home frequently, try moving your wireless router to the room where you are working, or vice versa. You can also purchase Wi-Fi extenders to boost the signal as it travels across the house. If you have AT&T Internet, you can map and test the Wi-Fi in your home with the AT&T Smart Home Manager app. Also, consider calling your provider to ask about upgrading to faster broadband speeds.
- Keep your computer and work devices up to date. Make sure your computer has the latest security updates by installing and regularly updating anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.
- Follow your employer’s security practices. Your home is now an extension of your office. So, follow your employer’s protocols. If you have any questions, reach out to your IT or security teams.
- Be aware of scams. Bad guys prey on uncertainty and are looking to take advantage during these uncertain times. Learn more about COVID-19 scams.
Following these tips can help keep you, your company and your personal information safe as you work from home.
Finally, it’s always important to practice good cybersecurity habits whether you are working from home or not. See our top tips here.