If you work from home, your laptop is usually your main source of income and therefore you rely upon it for more things than you could even describe. So what are you supposed to do if something happens to it, something that you could have prevented? The internet is a useful place, but its downsides are the amount of threats that you can face, even if you’re doing nothing but going about your business and working from home. However, there are some useful things that you can do to protect yourself, and we’ve noted them here.
Be cautious about emails
When it comes to emails, you use them all of the time as somebody who works at home, and they could be your main way to get into contact with potential clients if you deal with customers directly. However, opening any suspicious links that are sent to you over email can mean that you’re downloading a virus, or that you’ve just shared your data with somebody who plans to use it for malicious reasons. Make sure that you check who the sender is, whether they seem legitimate, and ask yourself whether you should probably steer clear. You usually get a gut instinct about things like this, so follow it.
Get some cyber security software
Whilst you may think that you’ll be OK without any kind of security software, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to hackers if you don’t make the effort to protect yourself. You may even have the basic level of antivirus software, but if you have more than one laptop or you’re running a company network, you need to make sure that you have the network security to protect yourself against hackers who could have the capacity to take over your entire business network. Don’t take any chances when it comes to this, and make sure that you have a comprehensive network security system in place.
Don’t share your details anywhere
If you work from home – and this particularly applies if you’re a blogger – you probably have a more personal relationship with all of your clients and potential clients, or perhaps your regular readership. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, and believe that you can share any of your personal details that could identify you in any way. If you start to get comfortable and reveal too much, you’re leaving yourself open to getting your data stolen, or potential identity theft. Be careful who you’re talking to, and what you’re saying to them. It goes without saying; you can’t trust people you’ve never met!
If you work from home, you need to make sure that you have a high level of security, or you leave yourself at risk of having your identity stolen, or having hackers take over your network. Be cautious when it comes to emails, get some good network security, and don’t share your details with people, especially people you don’t know! Protect yourself, and your career will be fruitful for years to come.