You work remotely: 4 tips from experts on how to avoid becoming a victim of hackers

Statistics show that remote work is attracting more and more people, and this trend will continue in the coming years. "Digital nomads" are increasingly working in their own homes and apartments, as well as booking hotel rooms or taking seats in cafes.

According to the 24/7 Wall St. website, 41% of remote workers prefer to work outside the home. And this creates a certain problem in the field of cybersecurity. Thus, according to a Forbes Advisor survey conducted among employees who regularly use public WiFi, 40% admitted that they had experienced hacker attacks while using the Internet in public places. Moreover, 20% of them had experienced it in a hotel, and 25% in a cafe or restaurant.

What risks should you be aware of if you work out of the office and how can you protect confidential information? This was reported by SSPDaily

Remote workers are a welcome target for hackers

Despite the fact that the Federal Trade Commission states that "https" in the address bar to the left of a website address is a reliable means of protection when working online, not all sites and locations are safe.

The greatest risk in this regard is the use of public WiFi. It can be hacked or turn out to be a phishing bait. In this case, cybercriminals create a fake WiFi with the same or similar name as the one in the hotel (cafe), and the unsuspecting victim connects to it.

As a result, the hacker gets access to your personal data, logins, and passwords.

It is equally dangerous to use USB ports to recharge devices in hotels and airports, where criminals often install spyware and steal confidential information.

How to avoid becoming a victim of hacking?

Here are some tips to help protect yourself from hackers.

• Don't connect to an unsecured WiFi. More than half of users connect to public Wi-Fi networks that do not require a password. Remote workers should not prioritize convenience over security. Always connect to Wi-Fi that is password-protected and uses the appropriate WPA2 or WPA3 protocol.
• Use a VPN. For remote workers, using a virtual private network (VPN) is a must, providing an extra layer of security, with data encryption and protection from prying eyes.
• Avoid using public charging stations as they may be infected with malware. If you need to charge your device, look for an outlet or carry a power bank with you.

Also, make sure you have strong passwords. Always choose 2FA (two-factor authentication) for your most important logins and use Firewall.