With so many people still working from home, cybercriminals are trying to profit. Cyber attacks are up 300% and the risk of losing important data or being compromised is much higher at home.
Five tips to protect your home office:
1. Use a VPN
Whether connecting to company resources or a Zoom call, use a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs encrypt all your online traffic to prevent hackers from capturing data in transit. Make sure to use a known VPN; they are widely available in software markets or directly from vendors.
2. Beware of phishing attempts
Attackers want people to click on malicious links, which is why phishing attempts now account for more than 80% of reported security incidents. Always be careful not to click on unknown links or files you didn’t expect, and install a cyber protection solution like Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (formerly Acronis True Image), which can block malicious URLs from loading in the first place.
3. Make sure you have a good anti-malware running
Having a quality anti-malware solution installed is a must, but it must be configured correctly to be effective:
- Perform a full scan at least once a day
- Running real-time, on-demand scans for each new software installed or run
Also, pay attention to the messages coming from your anti-malware solution and make sure your licenses are active.
4. Patch your operating system and applications
Many attacks are successful due to unpatched vulnerabilities. Keeping your operating system (OS) up-to-date is crucial to ensuring security gaps are closed. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (formerly Acronis True Image) provides vulnerability assessments to let you know if your system has exploitable gaps and rate the severity level so that you can prioritize your patching efforts.
For home users, it is best to ensure that your devices and applications receive all the necessary updates quickly. Selecting automatic updates for popular software vendors such as Adobe can help minimize the risk of attack.
5. Keep your passwords and workspace to yourself
Don’t share passwords with anyone and use different passwords for each service you use. Remember, today’s attacks can easily crack old eight-character passwords. Use long phrases that you can remember if you choose not to use a password manager.
Even when working from home, lock your computer and limit access to it. It is possible for someone to access information on an unlocked computer from a distance. Don’t assume you are protected simply because there are no people physically in your home.
There’s a lot to digest when it comes to securing remote work. To make things easier, Acronis offers a suite of cyber protection solutions for home users, businesses, and managed service providers.
Find the one that meets your unique needs and try it free for 30 days. For more information on Acronis cyber protection solutions, visit us here.