Working from home can leave you vulnerable to hackers in quiet times, and this is anything but quiet/normal. With millions of people around the world ordered to stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, many more people are now working from home, sometimes on their personal computers or phones. That presents a much broader target for hackers, cybersecurity experts say.
At home, you're less likely to be protected by corporate software that can scan every link you click and file you download for signs of danger. Plus, your mind may be filled with worries about the spread of a disease that threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems across the country and all the logistical problems that all countries are facing.
However, there are simple steps you can take to mitigate the risk. That’s good, because cybersecurity companies say it appears hackers have become more active recently. Researchers at Zscaler say they’ve seen a 15% to 20% increase each month in overall hacking incidents since January, and a surge in hacking threats that use terms like “coronavirus” or “COVID-19” to trick users into handing over sensitive information or installing malware.
Curbing this junk could help prevent headaches at work and could also stop hackers from stealing the data your company . And since your personal and professional lives are all mixed up right now, you can stop yourself from handing over your own sensitive information to hackers at the same time.
Update the software
Because you're not in your office, your business could struggle to keep software . And you might not realize it, but professionals whose job it is to stop hackers say that keeping your software up to date is one of the most important things you can do.
When software companies release updates that fix security vulnerabilities, they essentially give hackers a key that helps them gain access to devices running the older version of the software. If you update your software, you change the locks and it will be much harder for hackers to get in.
It's not just the apps running on your phone or laptop that need to be updated. You can also make sure your devices' operating systems are up to date. Even routers need to be secure, although router often install these updates automatically. On Wednesday, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner called on companies like Netgear and Google to ensure that people who rely on home internet for work and education are using secure routers.
Of course, there are potential downsides. Software updates themselves can sometimes cause problems with your device, breaking programs that are essential to your work or rendering device unusable. These problems, however, are usually noticed and addressed quickly. So if you have to wait to make sure there are no surprise issues with the update, go ahead, but don't wait too long.
Use two-factor authentication
If hackers manage to break into your system, they might be able to steal your usernames and passwords. That sounds scary, but there's something you can do to make that information much less useful to hackers. It's called two-factor authentication, and it requires you to enter a code that expires after a while, or use a hardware token to log out after you enter your login credentials.
Avoid phishing scams
Just as you should be on the lookout for scams and false information about COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, you should be wary of suspicious messages that could come from hackers and scammers.
According to Microsoft, 91% of hacking attacks start with a malicious email, in what is called a phishing attack. The emails can be of any format. Some may promise you vital information about the spread of the coronavirus in your area, but in reality contain a malicious file that can infect your computer. Others will give you the illusion that they come from your boss, asking you to send a company document, for example, and quickly.
Working from home doesn't give you the ability to go to your boss's office and confirm that he or she actually asked you to do something, so working from home requires extra attention.
Improve your personal security
If you use your own computer and can't access your company's internal network, you can still install consumer products that detect malware that can steal information, spy on you, and hack your contacts, as well as potentially unwanted programs like adware. If you run these programs and keep these other tips in mind, you'll be in good shape to defend yourself against hackers.
