Securing Your Data While You Travel & Work Remotely

[Indiana Lee]

These days, it is becoming more and more uncommon to work within the confines of a typical office. Remote jobs and positions that require travel are becoming more common as time goes on. But no matter how the job market changes, one thing remains the same, and that is the threat of cybercrime.

When we are working from the office, we have the protection provided by our IT team, but when we work outside of the home, it is on us to keep our information and the data of our customers secure. This protection needs to start on day one. Let’s look at some easy tips to get started.

Data Security is Essential

If you are interested in a remote position or a job that allows you to travel the world, then this is the time to make that dream a reality. Right now, many freelancers, from bloggers to photographers, can work from anywhere, while folks who want to stay in one place can move to just about any country to make money as a delivery driver, teacher, or even a seasonal employee at a store overseas.

While the chance for adventure is enticing, it is important to not get carried away without securing your personal data or the data of your clients, customers, or students. If a customer’s data is leaked, it could lead customers to lose trust in your services and your company could fail before it starts.

You need to be proactive so you and your clients are protected in the case that data is compromised. To start, make sure to back up all essential data onto an external hard drive that is separate from your computer or cell phone, so if a device is lost, you can cancel that service and still have the data you need. Before you leave, you should also update all devices to the most recent software, as each program will have its own built-in protections that need to be maintained.

Use Caution When Working In Public

Part of the allure of working outside of an office is that you can work in more casual places like coffee shops and restaurants, but caution is of the utmost importance here, especially if you decide to use public Wi-Fi. The reason is because of the man-in-the-middle scam, which is when hackers create a fake network that looks like legitimate Wi-Fi in an attempt to attract victims. If customers do connect, they are connecting directly to the hacker and their information can be easily stolen.

Because of this scam and the potential for viruses, always ask an employee or the owner of the establishment for the correct network so you know you’re in the clear. Never download any strange attachments or leave your phone unattended when out in public. It only takes a moment for a hacker to infect or steal your device.

For extra protection, it is a smart idea to install a virtual private network (VPN) on your device that will disguise your location and make it difficult for hackers to access your machine. This service should be enabled on your computer whenever you leave your home or office.

Protect Your Accounts

Whether you work for yourself or a large customer base, have all of your programs and accounts locked up like Fort Knox. That process starts by using strong passwords that have a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters so they cannot be easily guessed. The more complicated your password is, the better, and you can use a password manager program to keep them all organized.

Of course, as technology continues to evolve, as do the techniques used by hackers to guess your passwords, so it is a smart idea to pair them with a form of two-factor authentication. This is a second layer of protection that you enter in addition to your password, and the best way to go is to use a biometric scan of your eye or finger so the code is specific only to you.

While passwords are your first line of defense, antivirus software is your backup plan in the case that a virus does get through. Make sure antivirus software is installed on your computers, phones, and tablets, and run scans at least once per week to catch any intruding software. Update this software whenever you get the chance as the new updates can catch the latest threats.

While working remotely is surely the future, you must keep data protection and cybersecurity at the front of your mind. Employ the tips discussed here so you can focus more on work and fun and less on cybercrime.