Internet security for the homeworker
2020 has certainly been a memorable year, even if it has been for the wrong reasons.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live, and work and businesses have obviously been affected massively. As the rise of the homeworker increases though, you want to make sure that when you’re working from home, the use of technology means you’re not running the risk of any online danger ruining the business.
Working through isolation
When lockdown hit the nation in spring 2020, it meant a lot of people were restricted to their homes. Staff were put on furlough and just had box sets to catch up on. As the lockdown ended and people slowly started returning to their places of work, the key message was always, “if you can work from home, do it”. And so people did. Many companies have now been looking to incorporate home working into their policies, giving people the chance to spend more time at home and less in the office (if they want).
So despite coronavirus, the idea of working at home looks like it’s here to stay. But there’s a lot to think about when it comes to equipment and making sure security isn’t compromised for the homeworker. You may work at home and use your own computer, or one from the office, but you’re still using your wi-fi network. You don’t have the protection of the IT crew or company firewalls. And as you’re using your computer at home for more and more things, you’re staying online for longer and potentially exposing yourself to the dangers out there.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. Obviously, anti-virus software and the best security measures play a pivotal role. Though the more you add to your computer, the slower it’ll get. What you need is something that can be easily installed, managed and keeps you protected while you’re working at home. What you need is a VPN.
Get your own private access
A VPN (or virtual private network) gives you your own private access to the internet. It works by hiding your IP address, the main identifier for online hackers out there and your ISP who keeps tabs on you. You can select a different server exchange, from a different location in the world, so when you log in, you’ll be accessing the internet from that country. You’ll notice it when you go on to Google and find it in that language! However, this also hides your IP address and a link back to you, with internet traffic originating from the VPN’s server, which will have strict security measures in place. All you have to do is find an effective VPN service, and it’ll do the rest. So, what else can you expect?
Complete peace of mind is the first thing, and one of the most important when it comes to being a homeworker. All the important information that’s relevant to work will be protected, so you and your company will not have to worry about any data breach or harmful attack that could be detrimental to business. It also applies on a personal level – your online banking, social media detail, and personal information will also be protected.
If you’re working from home, you might also have noticed how your broadband speeds have been affected. Even the big companies that promise furiously fast speeds still have to cope with the surge in bandwidth demand as homeworkers upload, download, send files and video call – all over the internet. It’s even worse in the evening when those who aren’t at home, come back to use the internet and put a further strain on the available bandwidth. ISPs have been known to stagger the amount of bandwidth, giving its users slow speeds. When you’re working at home, this is the last thing you want, especially if it impacts business. Thankfully, a VPN can stop this as the ISP won’t know where your data traffic is coming from. So you can be the one with the smoothest quality video on the next Zoom call.
We know that sitting in front of the screen all day is going to make your mind wander, especially if you are working from home with a pet. It’s natural. You might even want to check out a TV show on Netflix while on your lunch break. With a VPN, you can make lunch breaks something to look forward to as it removes the geographically restricted content. All those glorious shows available in America which you can’t access here – just get the popcorn and say you’re working late!
As well as protecting your details and those of your company safe, a VPN has a range of benefits. From exceptional privacy to faster bandwidth and more, it’s definitely worth it to keep yourself safe when becoming a homeworker.
