The pandemic arrived, our routine changed and, for those who could work from home, life became even more online. However, not everyone who is incarcerated is protected. If in the physical world the threat of COVID-19 contamination diminishes with social distancing, on the other hand, the more time we spend online, the closer we are to a virtual attack.
The migration of many professionals from within the offices to the home environment has opened some doors and eliminated layers of security. In most companies there are structures such as VPN (Virtual Private Network), which makes a tunnel for the passage of data from end to end, and Firewall (in free translation is the fire door), which prevents the entry of malicious access. In the home environment, however, we do not have these same protections.
Cyber security experts warn that the vast majority of these attacks don’t happen directly, as if you were on your computer and suddenly someone had access to all of your data. In general, you will receive a message with a link via WhatsApp or email, which will sound familiar, but they are imposters posing through your bank, the online store where you buy frequently, or even government agencies requesting regularization of your information, among others. A small distraction is enough for us to share data that allows this access.
In addition to being attentive, there are other tips to maintain the level of safety when working at a distance even without the protection barriers existing in companies:
Keep updates up to date
It is important to keep your operating system, antivirus definitions, and other software up to date. We are always busy and we postpone updates that often may have identified global threats and already bring an update that will protect the system. Set aside time in your day for this purpose.
Watch out for unknown devices
You know that pen drive that is in some drawer and you decide that you are going to use it to transfer data from one computer to another? Do you know where this pen drive went? What equipment was used before yours? A USB connection is enough for any malicious software to take advantage and install itself on your device.
Beware of suspicious links
When accessing the websites, never use links received by WhatsApp messages or email. Enter your favorite browser and enter the address, or use the links you’ve already saved to your favorites.
Delete unused applications and software
Every application on your smartphone and software on your computer can be an eventual gateway. Therefore, it is important to leave only what you use installed. Take the time to check everything that is installed that you no longer use to remove and thus keep your system more secure.
parental control
If you have children at home, in addition to the above tips, it is also worth using parental control software to filter the content and websites that can be accessed.
*Article produced by a columnist exclusively for FreeGameGuide. The text may contain opinions and analyzes that do not necessarily reflect FreeGameGuide’s views on the subject.