Remote work offers flexibility and convenience, but it also brings cybersecurity risks, including increased exposure to cyber threats. Hackers are always looking for easy targets, and unprotected remote workers can expand an organization’s attack surface, leading to credential theft, phishing attacks, and security breaches.
The good news? A few relatively simple steps can significantly reduce risks. Here’s what you can do today to improve cybersecurity while working remotely.
General Guidelines for Freelancers
1. Secure Your Devices
Your laptop or desktop is your most important work tool, and keeping it secure should be a priority. Every device should have basic security settings configured, including:
- Disk encryption to protect sensitive work files
- Firewall to block potential threats from the internet
- Automatic updates to patch security vulnerabilities in your OS and applications
- Regular backups to avoid losing data due to theft or technical failure
Pareto Security provides a free and open-source security app for all operating systems that will scan your computer and show you what needs fixing. You can also do everything manually by following our OS security checks:
- macOS security checks
- Linux security checks
- Windows security checks (coming soon)
2. Secure Your Network
Working remotely means using different networks, including home Wi-Fi and public Wi‑Fi networks, which can expose your data to cybercriminals through unsecured connections and malicious content.
Secure Your Home Router:
- Change the default admin password
- Enable WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 if WPA3 isn’t available)
- Disable remote management
- Update firmware regularly
Avoid Public Wi-Fi Risks:
Public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports, etc.) can be one of the biggest risks for remote workers, as hackers can intercept unencrypted traffic. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet traffic and keep your data safe. Trusted VPN services include Proton VPN and Tailscale.
3. Strengthen Password Security
Weak or common passwords are one of the most common security risks, making it easy for hackers to launch brute-force attacks and gain unauthorized access to online accounts. Follow these best practices:
- Use a password manager to generate and store passwords securely.
- Create long, strong passwords and never reuse them across different accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts, using an authenticator app instead of SMS whenever possible.
- Change default passwords on routers and any IoT devices, as these are easily exploited by attackers.
4. Stay Educated with Cybersecurity Training
Understanding common cyber threats will help you recognize and avoid them. Online cybersecurity training courses can teach you essential security skills.
Here are some free training resources:
Cybersecurity Guidelines for Companies with Remote Employees
If your company has remote employees, ensure that they follow cybersecurity best practices by implementing policies and tools to safeguard sensitive business data.
1. Enforce Device Security
Remote employees should secure their devices similarly to freelancers, but companies can go further by using Pareto Security to automate monitoring security checks across all employee devices. Since the app is read-only and non-intrusive, most workers should be open to installing it, even on BYOD setups.
Additionally, in the case of Windows devices, companies should provide security software such as antivirus and anti-malware software to protect against malicious files and software.
2. Implement Security Policies and Training
Companies should have clear remote work policies that cover cybersecurity best practices, including:
- Ensuring regular software updates and installing security patches to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
- Enforcing network security controls for secure remote access to company networks (using VPN).
- Training employees to recognize phishing emails, suspicious links, and fraudulent emails.
- Encouraging the use of private cloud storage to prevent unencrypted file sharing over public networks.
3. Reduce Security Risks from Personal and Mobile Devices
Employees using personal devices for work should follow strict security measures to prevent cyber attacks. These include:
- Using strong passwords and multifactor authentication for all email accounts and work-related applications.
- Trying to avoid USB sticks and other removable media that could contain malicious software. Sharing via cloud storage is much safer.
- Not connecting work devices to unsecured networks in coffee shops or other public locations, or using VPNs when on public networks.
Same rules apply as for device security – and your company can use Pareto Security for personal devices as well.
4. Protect Against Social Engineering Attacks
Social engineering attacks are one of the most effective ways hackers steal login credentials and gain access to sensitive files. Organizations should:
- Educate employees on cybersecurity awareness and have employee training programs to minimize human error.
- Implement authentication mechanisms to verify identities before granting network access.
- Use a risk-based approach to identify and mitigate security threats proactively.
- Follow breach disclosure laws to ensure compliance with organizational policies in case of a cybersecurity incident.
5. Strengthen Remote Work Security
Companies must implement security strategies to address security challenges associated with remote work environments. This includes:
- Deploying essential cybersecurity tools to secure enterprise systems and corporate systems.
- Regularly conducting risk assessments to evaluate security threats in remote work settings.
- Monitoring remote connections to prevent unauthorized access to corporate offices and company networks.
Stay Safe While Working Remotely
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require consistent effort and awareness among employees to prevent security incidents and insider threats. By following these best practices, companies and remote workers can maintain a high level of security and minimize cybersecurity vulnerabilities in their remote working environment.
