The decision by governments to close educational facilities and workplaces in a bid to stem the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus will see many more of us than ever before remotely connecting to workplace/school networks from home and will put added strain on online resources. We will also see many people who are used to the protection offered by a corporate/education network working remotely for the first time. This coupled with opportunistic attacks from cybercriminals exploiting people’s fears over this virus outbreak could create a perfect storm for cybercriminal activity.
Working or studying from home for the first time can seem daunting, especially for those used to having IT support on hand. Connecting remotely to school or work networks does offer flexibility in where and how we work, but it can also present some challenges and potential security risks. But following a few basic steps can help everyone stay safe online and get the most from online lessons or remote access.
- Protect all devices with a reputable Internet security product, including mobile devices.
- Always apply the latest updates to your operating systems and apps as soon as they become available.
- Only use apps from trusted sources, e.g. Google Play, the App Store, or the trusted learning portal you’re using or those provided by your place of work/education.
- Only use trusted networks for online activities. If it’s not your network, and you must go online, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to secure your connection.
- Always type-in web addresses yourself. Don’t click on links or attachments or respond to unsolicited messages.
- Backup your data regularly to an external drive that you keep offline to avoid losing your work.
Businesspeople working from home
As governments around the world react to the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus, we’re seeing unprecedented numbers of people connecting remotely to corporate networks, putting additional pressure on already strained IT and security infrastructure. Many organizations are also not geared up for people to work from home and are thus trying to understand the challenges in real time, under exceptional circumstances, whilst for some it is more commonplace and a good time to re-examine security around remote access to corporate systems. Once a device is taken outside of an organizations network infrastructure and is connected to new networks and WIFI, the risks broaden and increase. There are a number of simple steps that these organizations can be take/or ask people on their network to take to reduce the cyber-risks associated with remote connectivity. Kaspersky advises the following:
- Provide a VPN for staff to connect securely to the corporate network
- All corporate devices – including mobiles and laptops – should be protected with appropriate security software, including mobile devices (e.g. allowing data to be wiped from devices that are reported lost or stolen, segregating personal and work data and restricting what apps can be installed)
- Always implement the latest updates to operating systems and apps
- Restrict the access rights of people connecting to the corporate network
- Ensure that staff are aware of the dangers of responding to unsolicited messages
