How to secure your remote work

Remote work is becoming increasingly prevalent in today's digital age. While many find working from home or adopting a hybrid setup to be very convenient, it can also expose you to various cybersecurity concerns.

Why is cyber security important on a work-from-home or hybrid setup?

In a work-from-home or hybrid setup, cybersecurity plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive information and preventing unauthorized access whenever you go online. With the rise of cyber threats, remote workers can be vulnerable targets. Cybersecurity ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, enabling you to work with a peace of mind.

What are security risks involved on a work-from-home or hybrid setup?

Phishing Attacks and Social Engineering

Due to challenges in monitoring and enforcing security policies, working remotely increased the risk of falling victim to deceptive emails or scams and phishing attacks aiming to obtain sensitive information like passwords or other credentials.

Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks

Remote workers may use unsecured Wi-Fi, or easily guessable passwords which allow hackers to get into your home network and steal your information or use your internet connection for malicious purposes. These networks may not have the same security protection as those in an office environment.

Poor Password Management

Using weak and guessable passwords can make it easier for hackers to access your devices and sensitive information, which can lead to identity theft and other security issues.

Unencrypted Remote File Sharing

Sharing files remotely without enough encryption may allow hackers to easily intercept the data being shared. Shared devices

Shared devices

Lack of separation between personal and work-related activities on shared devices. Mixing personal and work activities on the same device can increase the risk of data leakage or accidental exposure.

How to properly set up secure remote access on a work-from-home or hybrid setup

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN encrypts your internet connection, ensuring secure transmission of data between your device and the corporate network.

As remote work becomes the new norm, it is critical to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure your online activities and potect your personal information. Trend Micro VPN Proxy One Pro is an excellent VPN solution that offers comprehensive security to protect your online activities and grants access to restricted websites and online services.

Keep software up-to-date

Regularly update your operating system, antivirus software, and other applications to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Secure your Wi-Fi network

Change the default router password, use a strong WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, and disable guest networks to minimize unauthorized access.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification, such as a password and a unique code sent to your smartphone.

Setup your Antivirus software

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A. Schedule a Scan

Schedule a Scan

Regularly check your computer's health before or after your shift. Trend Micro allows you to schedule a scan outside your work hours. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Trend Micro, then click Settings.

   

2. Select Security & Tuneup Controls > Scheduled Scans.

   

3. Put a check beside Conduct a scheduled scan of the computer, then choose Set a specific schedule.

   

4. Choose your preferred day, time, and scan type.

   You can also choose Smart Schedule if you want the program to conduct a scan automatically based on your recent computer usage.

5. Click Apply, then click OK to save the changes.

B. Turn On Anti-phishing

Turn On Anti-phishing

To enable Trend Micro's anti-phishing protection, you can follow these steps:

1. Open Trend Micro, then click Settings .

   

2. Select Internet & E-mail Controls > Spam and emailed files.
3. Put a check beside Filter out unsolicited advertisements and other unwanted email messages.

   

4. Click Apply, then click OK to save the changes.

C. Turn On Webmail Protection

Turn On Webmail Protection

Using Trend Micro's technology, Email Defender feature scans for fraudulent emails and warns you if it detects something suspicious. Here's how to turn it on:

1. Open your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
2. Log in to your Gmail or Outlook web portal. A pop up will appear.
3. Click Protect Your Email Now.

   

4. Read the License Agreement, then select Agree and Turn On. You will see this message to confirm it is ON.

   

D. Turn On Ransomware Protection

Turn On Ransomware Protection

Ransomware is malware that encrypts your files and holds them captive until you pay the ransom. Use the Folder Shield feature to protect your important files and folders from being encrypted.

1. Open Trend Micro, then click the Data tab.

   

2. Click Configure beside Folder Shield.

   

3. Read the introduction, then click OK.
4. On Choose Folders You Want to Protect window, Trend Micro displays the three initial folders to protect: Documents, OneDrive, and Pictures. Click Protect More, then add your important files and folders.

   

5. Click OK, then click Done.

Use a Password Manager

Keeping your login credentials and passwords safe is essential. Trend Micro recommends you use Password Manager to store these sensitive information in one secure location that only you can access. Here’s our guide on how to add it to your favorite browsers: How to enable Password Manager Extension.

TIP: Use Trend Micro's Secure Erase if you need to permanently delete an important file or folder from your computer preventing anyone from recovering the data.

Encrypt Your Files Before Sharing

Knowing how to securely share confidential files is important to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. You can do this by encrypting your files so only authorized people can access them. Use a good archive tool like Trend Micro Unzip One to create encrypted archives in different formats, which gives you an additional layer of protection while sharing files from home.

Security best practices when working on a work-from-home or hybrid setup

Use strong, unique passwords

Avoid reusing passwords and consider using a Strong Password Generator to generate and store complex passwords securely.

Be cautious of phishing emails and suspicious links

Verify the authenticity of email senders and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

Secure your physical workspace

Lock your computer when you're away, use privacy screens to prevent shoulder surfing, and secure physical documents in a locked cabinet or drawer.

Regularly back up your data

Backup important files regularly to an external hard drive or a secure cloud storage service to protect against data loss.