The world is open again; people are free to travel to many of their favorite destinations. Professionals started to work remotely, pursuing their work tasks while also exploring a new culture.
Thanks to the new normal working style, many companies offer employees remote work abroad opportunities. A survey revealed that 42% of employees were happily willing to use this policy of the company. The reasons for such changes are clear, and the world might never fully return to full-time office work.
But as we all know, with great freedom comes great responsibility. It goes for working remotely abroad, too. So, before you unpack your suitcase and settle in to work in a comfortable hotel, here are some security factors to consider.
Top 6 security tips for remote work
Remote work might be very relaxing and helpful, but there are some things that you must take care of beforehand.
Protect your gadgets
Theft is the most common problem that many visitors face while traveling abroad. Therefore, the first thing you need to do after reaching your destination is to protect your devices.
If you fail to practice safety and any device gets stolen, it can lend you big-time trouble. Your stolen laptop, phone, tablet, or other devices will indeed have sensitive information. It may also have the banking details, hotel information, or travel plan.
To prevent this, keep your devices in a secure area, such as carrying them with you or leaving them in your hotel room. You should also be cautious while visiting popular tourist destinations, as robbers target tourists. When going somewhere, learn about the common tourist scams you should avoid beforehand.
Say ‘NO’ to public Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi hotspots are great when you need to get some work done, but they can also be very dangerous. Hackers often set up Wi-Fi networks with the names of popular places and wait for people to connect to them. Once connected, they can access all your data and even take over your device.
To avoid this, only use Wi-Fi networks you trust, such as those offered by your hotel or a friend’s house. However, even hotel Wi-Fi can have its pitfalls, meaning it is not a viable option. If you need to use a public Wi-Fi network, initiate a VPN download beforehand. A Virtual Private Network defends against someone intercepting and monitoring your internet traffic. In other words, it performs traffic encryption, which is something most free Wi-Fi hotspots lack.
Don’t scan unidentified QR codes
QR codes are a convenient way to share information, but hackers can also use them to steal your data. QR codes often contain malicious code that will infect your device as soon as you scan it.
Only scan QR codes if you know and trust the source to avoid this. Also, make sure you have updated the security software installed on your device. This will help protect you from any malicious code hidden in a QR code.
Moreover, many fraudulent people paste QR codes on famous tourist places or shops to scam people. Upon scanning and making payment through such QR codes, the money sent gets deposited to the scammer’s account, not the one you thought.
Therefore, always ask the merchant for authentic QR codes before making any payment.
Disable auto-connect feature
It is an essential factor that people mostly forget. The auto-connect feature can be very dangerous as it automatically connects your device to the nearest Wi-Fi network. It leaves your device vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
To deal with it, make sure you disable the auto-connect feature on all your devices. Only connect to Wi-Fi networks you trust, and only when needed.
Be cautious of phishing emails
Hackers often use phishing emails to steal your personal information. They will usually pose as a legitimate company or person and attempt to get you to click on a fake link or download an attachment. Once clicked, the malware contained in the email will infect your device.
To tackle this, always be cautious of emails from unknown senders. Don’t click on any doubtful links or download any attachments unless you are sure they are safe. Also, make sure your security software is up-to-date and that you have a strong password policy in place.
Update the OS and apps on your device
It’s essential to keep your devices up to date with the latest security patches. Many times, cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to infect your device.
You can avoid this by making sure that you update the OS and apps on all your devices regularly. It includes both your mobile devices and your computer. You should also install security software on all your devices to help protect them from malware and other cyber threats.
Conclusion
Following these simple security tips can help you stay safe while working remotely abroad. Make sure you are aware of the dangers and take the necessary precautions to keep your data safe.