The Coronavirus and lock down in place have not stopped disrupting our daily lives. With the measures put in place by the government, many people are discovering teleworking as well as distance learning. The Internet has never been so much in demand that streaming services have been forced to reduce their speeds. What about security?
Teleworking has become one of the solutions to curb the Coronavirus. Such a large number of Internet users connected with new tools (professional messaging, videoconferencing software, platforms for courses, etc.) represents an unprecedented opportunity for hackers. In such circumstances, it is vital to pay close attention to the security of one’s devices and data.
When teleworking, think about backups.
Save your documents regularly. Some viruses can encrypt or even erase your files and hold you for ransom. Besides, many breakdowns occur without warning. So remember to save your work in progress periodically, and create an additional copy on an external medium.
Protect yourself with an antivirus software
With so many people teleworking, hackers will be on the lookout for poorly protected computers that could be used to infiltrate companies. Be sure to install capable antivirus software. Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender by default, but you can opt for free alternatives such as Avast and Avira, or paid solutions such as Norton or Kaspersky.
Pay special attention to phishing attempts, especially by e-mail. Cyber hackers do not hesitate to send misleading e-mails reporting a problem with your account. The link leads to a fake site that asks for your login details, which are immediately forwarded to the author. To avoid this, always access your account using your bookmarks, rather than clicking on a link in an e-mail.
Improve the security of your accounts by enabling two-factor authentication where possible. For example, two-factor authentication requires a code sent to the mobile phone in addition to the password to log in. Finally, use a password manager such as LastPass or Dashlane. It allows you to create more complex and secure passwords without having to memorize them. Also, it helps to protect against phishing because the manager only fills in the credentials if you are on the right site.
Lock down: browse the web with a VPN
A VPN securize the connection between your computer, or other devices, and a remote server. All data transmitted between your computer and the Internet is encrypted and then redirected through the VPN. Sites only see the IP address of the server, which allows you to surf anonymously. The advantage is that not only will your data be impossible to decipher, but without your IP address, it will be impossible to scan your computer for vulnerabilities to infiltrate it.
Most services offer servers all over the world. So you can bypass geolocation-based blocks by connecting from Amsterdam, London, or New York. There are many VPN service providers, including PureVPN, which is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.