10 Ways to Stay Secure While Teleworking

Some of the most serious of these threats include the potential for cybercriminals to have direct access to personal and corporate accounts and sensitive information and the exposure of customer data. The damage could have far-reaching and long-lasting effects. But you can be an effective front line of defense. Use these tips to secure your information while teleworking. 

1. Know your company’s teleworking policies. It may seem simple, but reading your company’s policies is the first thing you should do to avoid mistakes. You won’t know the do’s and don’ts if you haven’t read them. 
2. Keep software up to date and secure your computer and other devices. Before you begin, turn on system firewalls and enable full disk encryption. Make sure you have the latest version of your tools and programs and that they’re updated each time there’s a new version. It really does make a difference. Be sure to include:
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   • Antivirus software 
   • Operating system 
   • Web browser PDF reader 
   • Software programs 
   • Video conferencing
3. Make sure your wireless network connection is secure. You’ll need to make sure your router’s has the appropriate encryption setting. Keep in mind that baby monitors, smart appliances and other devices that use the internet could be entry points for attacks, too.
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   • Use WPA3-A3S configuration or, if that isn’t available, WPA-2AES
   • Create a strong password
   • Enable the firewall 
4. Always connect to a secure network. If available, always use your company’s virtual private network (VPN) to access accounts. 
5. Use strong passwords and multifactor authentication. It’s much harder to hack complex sign-in credentials, so create long passwords or passphrases that only you would know. Multifactor authentication is an extra layer of protection in which your identity is verified at sign-in using 2 or more pieces of information. Examples include biometrics (e.g., fingerprint and facial recognition) or one-time passcodes. Some people like using a personal password manager like 1Password, Dashlane or the LastPass app to keep track of their passwords. Check your organization’s policy to make sure using a password manager isn’t prohibited.
6. Log out of applications and turn off equipment when not in use. This prevents hackers from installing malware that could allow them to gain access to your devices―including your computer’s webcam. 
7. Watch out for phishing scams. Cybercriminals tend to ramp up their illegal activity during times of uncertainty or crisis and take advantage of current events to create convincing messages. Don’t click on any links, download files or respond to emails from unknown or suspicious senders, especially if they ask for personal information or sign-in credentials. Being cautious can stop hackers from infecting your devices with ransomware, viruses and other online threats. 
8. Avoid sharing devices. Avoid using the same devices for both work and personal use if possible. And don’t share a device used for work with family and friends. 
9. Secure your audio and video conferences. Some conferencing tools have experienced issues with uninvited participants joining private conferences. To keep out unwanted “guests,” make sure you set a password or unique code for each meeting and don’t share them publicly. Verify attendee names and call-in phone numbers after they join and lock your meeting after everyone has joined.
10. Act quickly if you suspect a problem. You may see clues that your computer could be compromised. Or, you may realize that you’ve given out sensitive information by mistake. If you think you’ve been a victim of cybercrime, don’t wait. Immediately inform your supervisor and/or IT department to limit potential damage. Clues might include:
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    • A new homepage or default search engine
    • Software message saying you have a virus or malware
    • Significant decrease in computer performance
    • Sudden increase in pop-up ads or spam
    • Frequent error messages

Protect Your Information

At Navy Federal Credit Union, we take your financial security seriously. To learn more about protecting yourself against scammers and other ways to defend against cybercriminals, check out our Security Center.