Using internet at home: 4 Sure ways to escape cyber threats

The onset of COVID-19 has caused most corporate institutions to have employees work from home, which was previously considered as an unthinkable this.

While employers and employees alike are adapting by using the internet at home to undertake most of their tasks, it threatens to open the door for hackers, malware and cyber fraudsters into our home offices.

So like how we would lock our doors, shut our windows and install alarm systems to deal with physical threats, we can employ the following measures to safeguard the security of our devices and data while using the internet at home.

With October being set aside as Cybersecurity Awareness month, this article highlights sure ways to escape cyber threats.

1. Protect Your ISP device

As the main link between your computer and the internet world, ensure that the device is protected by changing its default administrator password. This is because, unlike the default password usually visible on the router, your password will be difficult for someone else to access.

This automatically reduces the number of people who can get connected to the device and, in essence, reduce the likelihood of people having unauthorized access to your network.

Preferably, use an 8–12-character password that combines capital letters, small letters, numbers and symbols.

2. Safeguard Your Connections

Once a password is set, ensure that only the most trusted devices are connected to your devices. In that, I mean people who you are sure will not do anything malicious on the internet.

Avoid sharing the passwords with neighbours and flatmates with whom you have no control of what they do on the internet. While it may be nice to show some friendliness to them, the threats and potential damage that could be caused will certainly not be as friendly.

3. Treat Your Computer As Your Treasure

Do not allow people to use your working computer, especially in your absence. They may copy, make changes or completely delete data on your computer.

They may also unknowingly open sites that use your details for criminal deeds. Do well to keep your computer away from children. If you want to teach them how to use a computer, starting with a toy or a childrens’ tablet is the way to go.

4. A Periodic Back-Up Is Key

A regular back-up of all data saves you from losing all data in the event of the loss or damage of your device. When deciding to back up, can use cloud storage such as dropbox, google drive or cloud. Alternatively, you can back up your data to external storage devices.

Regardless of the medium used, be sure to protect confidential documents with passwords to avoid the likelihood of the documents falling into the wrong hands.

 

In summary…

Working and using the internet at home may come with some comfort that wouldn’t have been present if we were working from the office.

But we should not get too comfortable and lose track of the ever-sophisticated dangers the internet poses to unsuspecting people.

 

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