Working from home: how to secure remote systems

Require a password, PIN, or biometric every time you log on

 

Make sure that your computer is set to require a username and password to log on to your account when it is turned on or after it is idle for a few minutes. Although this is normal for office computers, your home computer may not be set up like this.

 

To configure a Windows 10 computer to require a username and password at login follow these instructions.

 

 

Encrypt your disk drives

 

If a thief steals your computer they could remove the disk drive and attempt to steal data from it by connecting it to another computer. The easiest way to prevent this is to encrypt the data on the drive so that it is inaccessible without a password.

 

Some versions of Windows include Microsoft’s BitLocker encryption program which you should activate if you have not already done so. If you do not have BitLocker you can also use the free VeraCrypt encryption application to secure your hard drive. VeraCrypt works with Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems.

 

 

Run a good endpoint security program

 

Endpoint security software protects your computer against viruses, ransomware, and other malware, and can also detect emails or pages containing malicious links or phishing content.

 

It is a good idea to run a full anti-malware scan before you start working from home for the first time to minimise the chances that your computer is already infected with malware.

 

Examples of good endpoint security software include Symantec Endpoint Protection, Avast Free Antivirus, Bitdefender Internet Security, and ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

 

 

Use a password manager

 

It is important to use a different password for every service that you log on to over the internet. It is also essential that all your passwords are a long series of random upper and lower case characters, digits, and special characters such as $ or &.

 

In practice these passwords are impossible to remember, but you can use a password manager program to remember them for you. A good password manager like LastPass or Dashlane requires you to enter a single long master password (which you have to remember). It will then enter your passwords automatically.

 

An additional benefit of password managers is that they are not fooled by phishing sites, offering you an additional level of security.

 

 

Back up your data securely

 

If you do not back up your data then there is a risk that important information could be lost. Backups are often performed automatically in an office environment, but this may not be the case when working from home.

 

You can back up data to the cloud automatically using apps like Backup and Sync from Google or MSP360, or you can perform backups manually to an encrypted USB drive such as Kingston Technology’s IronKey, which requires a password before data can be accessed.

 

 

Lock up your computer

 

Finally, don’t forget physical security, which involves taking steps to prevent your computer from being stolen. A simple measure is to ensure that your computer is not visible from a window at street level.

 

Laptops can also be physically locked to a desk or anchor point using the Kensington security slot found in many laptops.