Cybersecurity is one of the most overlooked aspects of remote work, which can be bad news for both the worker and the company in charge. Working from home opens up countless opportunities when it comes to creating your own schedule and spending more time with family. However, it also leads to more cybersecurity risks, as there is no layered protection keeping you safe from potential threats.
While working in an office, employees don’t pay much attention to cybersecurity because there’s an IT team in place for those issues. At home, however, you are left to your own devices to figure out how to win the battle against rising cybercrime. Whether you are a remote worker or someone in charge of managing a remote work team, these are the four types of cybersecurity software you are going to need in 2020 and beyond.
#1 VPN
A VPN is the most important tool you can have in your arsenal against cybercrime. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN is a service that allows users to connect to distant and encrypted servers in order to hide their IP address and remain anonymous on the internet. Once you connect to a VPN, all data and traffic on your device are fully encrypted and invisible to hackers and third parties such as internet service providers and governments. With a VPN, you will avoid many security threats and even get a chance to bypass geographical restrictions.
#2 Antivirus
Keep in mind that a VPN can protect you from most online threats but it cannot keep your device fully secured. That is why remote workers shouldn’t neglect the importance of setting up a proper antivirus and activating a firewall. The two tools will allow you to scan the device regularly and get notified each time there is any suspicious activity in the system.
#3 Password Manager
No matter how careful you are when it comes to online threats and security systems, you can always make a simple mistake that will lead to serious consequences. The most common mistake of this type is a weak password or, in the worst case scenario, a single password that is used for more than one account. To avoid poor password habits, start using a reliable password management tool that will keep your credentials up to the highest security standards.
#4 2FA
Lastly, one thing that most remote workers wouldn’t even think of is two factor authentication. This might sound like some next-level type of cybersecurity term but, in reality, setting up 2FA is much easier than you would expect. Once you install and activate a 2FA tool, you will be asked to verify your identity before accessing confidential files and online platforms. This will add an extra layer of security to your system and make it more complicated for hackers to breach through.
Better Safe than Sorry
A VPN and an antivirus are a great security combination for any remote worker. If you want to take things even further, consider using a password manager and 2FA to strengthen your login procedures. These tools should not only be used on professional computers but also on your personal devices where you have plenty of valuable data. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to cybersecurity threats.
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