This is Two Minute Tech Tips, I’m your host Lester Steward. In this series we are discussing Business cybersecurity and what you need to know to protect your business.
While the prospect of working from anywhere as long you have a PC with internet is very alluring, this opens the data on your PC to bad actors. Most public internet connections are poorly secured and at most have a simple password that is available for anyone to learn. A couple of ways to keep safe while working at the library or in your favorite coffee shop is to either have a VPN to your business network or use your personal data hotspot from your phone.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are great for keeping your internet traffic from the prying eyes of a bad actor. If you’re planning on working from any public place this is the best way to stay protected. Most of the security for public WiFi is lacking and would allow anyone to see data from your PC. A person with the right tools could capture all your personal information and any information you pass through the public network. Best practices in this situation are to have all your traffic flow through a VPN, make sure the credentials on the PC are strong and if you happen to walk away from your PC, make sure you lock it.
Another way to be safe in public is to use the hotspot from your phone or a dedicated hotspot device. You should also be using a VPN for any traffic because a clever bad actor could create a look alike network name. With this they can capture all the unencrypted data passing over the internet to your PC and potentially look at and steal your information.
This look alike network is a real problem in public spaces and is best combated by use of a VPN service. The worst thing about this type of theft is that you don’t realize it’s happening until a while longer and then you find out someone stole money from your bank account or tried to open a credit card in your name. Your information is personal, and it should stay that way by whatever means possible. Stay safe out there.
On the next episode I’m going to explore what to do if you get hacked and what to do next.
If you need any information on this subject, please let North Tech Group know by visiting our website ntgak.com and give us a follow-on Facebook or Twitter, where I post more tips to staying safe online.Thanks for joining me, Lester Steward for your Two Minute Tech Tips, helping you keep safe in your cybersecurity world.