Security Risks for Home and Remote Work Networks

Best Practices for a More Secure Internet Router to Work from Home

 

Your Organization's Cybersecurity Goes Beyond the Office

Now that you are more aware of your surroundings while in your home office or a remote work environment, it is important to take a look at how you connect to the Internet and what is connected to your work computer. Weak router passwords, outdated firmware, and Bluetooth printers could all be vectors for attackers, and nosy neighbors, to intercept sensitive company data. In the second installment of our cybersecurity for remote work training series, we will discuss the basic security precautions you should take before connecting to the Internet or to a Bluetooth device. We would also like to take this time to encourage you to familiarize yourself with your organization’s security procedures.  

Cybersecurity Video Training: Security Considerations for Your Home Office

Key Security Takeaways for Home Router and Auto-Connecting Devices

• Have a strong password on your home router to protect your work data and personal information too.
  • Use a password that has a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
  • Use a minimum password length of 8 characters
  • Make sure the password is unique to your router
• Make sure your router firmware is up to date, because an outdated one may be a vector for attackers
• Be careful of auto-connecting your work PC to other, unnecessary devices in your home, such as:
  • Bluetooth printers
  • TVs
  • Personal assistant devices like Alexa or Google Nest, home
  • Backup drives
• Corporate VPNs
  • Familiarize yourself with whether your organization uses a VPN and how to use it

Watch Video 3: Phishing Emails, Calls, and Attacks →