Your home network is your gateway to the internet. Are you taking appropriate measures to protect your connected household from cyberattackers?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to embrace working from home – a concept they had little or no experience with at the time. Many employees have since returned to the office, but remote work remains a popular choice. According to the 2022 State of Remote Work report by Buffer, 97% of remote workers would like to work remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their careers. As remote and hybrid work models continue to evolve, it’s vital for households to be vigilant about cybersecurity.
Most households are linked to the internet in some way. They can be hard-wired to the net or they can leverage wireless technology to connect computers, gaming systems, TVs, tablets, mobile phones and smart home devices to the worldwide web. Having the right cyber protection in place is essential to ensure that everyone in the home can use the internet safely and securely for personal and professional activities. Here are three simple ways to improve your household cybersecurity.
1 | Secure your wireless router
Using a wireless router is a convenient way to allow multiple devices to connect to the internet from different areas of your home. However, unless your router is secure, you risk the possibility of outsiders accessing information on your devices or using your network for nefarious purposes.
It’s important to secure your router from Day 1. Manufacturers assign preset passwords to routers – and these defaults are often weak or easy to guess. If you leave the factory-set password in place, then you effectively leave the door open for cybercriminals to breach your home network. Make sure you change the default router password when you set up the machine itself.
2 | Install security software on household devices
All devices connected to your home network should have security software installed – and updated regularly. Many modern devices have automatic update features, and you should enable them to ensure that your gadgets function optimally and securely at all times.
With the most up to date security software, operating systems and web browsers, your household devices will be better protected against viruses, malware and other cyberthreats.
3 | Back up household data
While steps can be taken to reduce the chance of your household network, devices and user accounts being hacked or compromised, they can never be 100% effective. Households should embrace the practice of backing up data.
You can protect your valuable work, photos and other digital information by making electronic copies of important files and storing them safely. This can be done using cloud software in addition to manual storage devices like portable hard drives and USBs.
By taking simple, proactive steps like these in your own home, you can defend your household members against online fraudsters and scammers.
BUI is proud to be a Champion organisation for the 2022 edition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This article was originally provided by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and is republished here with permission.
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