Technology has offered us a sense of freedom; in that, we can work from nearly anywhere in the world. Riva Richmond, of Entrepreneur.com, has written an informative article that details how to keep your information safe while on-the-go.
Office spaces are no longer confined to personal cubicles branching from corporate hallways. Our office can be a coffee shop in Paris, a library in Seattle, or a sake bar in Japan. Technology and its clouds of information enable us to access our tools and information on every continent. Though technology may offer us saving grace in the form of accessibility and flexibility, a key factor that is often overlooked whilst working remotely is security.
Follow these steps to protect your data:
1. Always Lock Your Screen – Make sure that your device requires a passcode any time it is turned on from an idle mode.
2. Install Remote Protection Software – LoJack and Lookout Mobile Security are two of the companies that offer options to find a lost or stolen laptop/phone/tablet, encrypt data remotely, and/or notify the person who possesses it.
3. Use Physical Protection – You can use laptop locks to lock down your computer in hotels and you can apply privacy screens when using your device in public places.
4. Surf Carefully – Wi-Fi is readily available almost everywhere, but be very wary about the waters in which you choose to surf. Do not transmit sensitive data over public connections and be very careful when you are on public computers at hotels, cafes, libraries, etc. Sniffer software, keyloggers, and other malware tools can be used by hackers to steal your data. Hackers can even connect to your computer by posing as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Always check security before you surf.
5. Secure Your HTTP – Avoid websites that do not have an “https” address. The ‘s’ stands for secure and you should avoid sites that aren’t secure. If you would like constant security, download HTTPS Everywhere and your communications will be scrambled on most websites.
6. Use a Virtual Private Network – A VPN can be set up by your IT employee on all of your traveling tech-devices. VPNs are relatively cheap and protect your sensitive data wherever you are.
If you follow these tips and tools, you’ll be making a proactive effort to protect your sensitive data. Have you ever been affected by malware, sniffer software, or a hacking attempt? What do you use on a regular basis to fight against these attacks? Share your knowledge with us!
