The concept of remote working has long been around, but it wasn’t until the breakout of COVID-19 that companies the world over started to value the concept of working from home. Because of the risk of contracting the virus, it has become much safer for employees to just stay home and work from there.
With the help of technologies such as Skype, Facetime, Slack, Zoom, Google Hangouts, etc., people can now work in the comforts of their own homes. Soon, studies start to emerge that working-from-anywhere may actually result in employee productivity boost, reduced turnover, and organizational cost savings. Because work from home essentially requires technology, such as the internet, employees may encounter different kinds of cybersecurity risks and threats.
Cybersecurity threat that workers from home face
Cyberattacks happen all the time. Even as you read this article, the cybersecurity of your organization in any form, size, profit, or non-profit, could be compromised. There are different types of cyberattacks that are considered threats to an organization. When they are not identified as soon as possible, these threats can cause organizational chaos. Without proper monitoring by the company, these threats could cause further issues that could affect your entire organization, even your finances.
The following are the most common cybersecurity threats that may compromise the company in a work-from-home era:
Malware
Malware is a cybersecurity term that encompasses different cyberattacks that include computer virus, spyware, trojan horse and adware, among others. It is a code with malicious intent and when handled without prudence, may cause a huge problem.
Most malware is designed to steal something from a computer or delete important data.
- Viruses – are a type of malware that infects the clean files and could spread like wildfires. They damage the functionality of a computer device and can erase important data and corrupt files on the computer. They are commonly spread as email attachments.
- Trojans – like the Greek concept of Trojan Horses, this kind of malware disguises itself as software. It discreetly damages your computer device and creates backdoors in your security, letting other malware to enter.
- Worms – these infect the whole network of devices, be it local or across the internet. It uses the infected device to infect more.
You can encounter malware if your device’s operating system is outdated and vulnerable to such threats. Downloading software from untrusted website sources can also heighten your risk of the device.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of malware. You have to be vigilant when it comes to downloading software or opening attachments on emails. You also need to make sure that your company’s operating system (OS) is updated. You must keep your OS updated as malware evolves with technology.
Phishing
Phishing usually poses as a request for data from a third party. Often sent via email, it requests users to click on a certain link. Once directed to a phishing website, the user will be asked to input their personal data. This has become so common and sophisticated that most people, especially those who do not know the scheme, would not be able to identify it. Phishing is similar to spam but could be more harmful.
To prevent phishing, you have to know how it looks like. Since phishing is common in emails, you need to do the following steps:
- Always check the sender’s email address. Ensure the legitimacy of the sender’s email information. If you notice that it does not seem like a legitimate address, then you might need to think twice before providing your information.
- Look out for common generalized addressing. If you see that the way they address you is off, they may not be a legitimate company.
- You may also have to check where the link takes you. If it takes you to a suspicious site, then make sure that you report it right away.
Password Attacks
Password Attacks are used to obtain a user’s information for illegal purposes. Hackers usually use this to obtain unauthorized access to user’s computer information.
There are several ways hackers do this. One is through Brute Force Attacks in which a computer program or script is used. They will then try to log in using possible password combinations. Another way is called Dictionary Attacks, which is done by the hacker when they try to derive the password from a list of simple and predictable words. Keylogger Attack is another way where hackers use a program that can record keystrokes. That way, hackers can obtain a user’s information, including username and password.
To prevent password attacks, it important that you update your password regularly. It is also advisable that you include Alpha Numeric Symbols in your password to make it more difficult for hackers to predict.
Choose a trusted cybersecurity service provider
Every organization must give great importance to cybersecurity, especially now that most businesses implement a work-from-home set up to protect its employees from the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. While organizations put a focus on protecting their employees from health risks, they should also be giving importance to mitigating cybersecurity risks.
Anicetus Solutions provides Managed Cybersecurity Services that can help you and your company in alleviating the risks mentioned above. An MCSP identifies cybersecurity issues such as malware infestations and phishing scams. We offer the following services and more:
- 24×7 Performance and Availability monitoring
- Compliance Management
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Awareness Training
By choosing Anicetus Solutions’ Managed Cybersecurity Services, you can rest assured that your company is well-protected not only from COVID-19 but from malicious threats and more. Protect your organization with Anicetus Solutions now!