Cyberattacks threaten 2 in 5 Brits working from home

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A new study by Fasthosts has revealed that two in five British home-working employees have not received any caution regarding COVID-19 scams and are therefore at risk of cyber-attacks.

The data reveals that over half of the UK (54%) are currently working without a VPN, a simple browser encryption which keeps personal and company information out of the public domain when on shared WIFI.

Despite these staggering statistics, the average Briton claims to currently feel secure and confident whilst remote working.

Tips for improving cybersecurity when working from home

Step up awareness to phishing scams linked to COVID-19 – attackers are exploiting anxiety around the pandemic, especially with phishing scams claiming to be related to COVID-19. The public should be suspicious of emails asking to renew personal details, claiming to contain unexpected test results or asking to open files.

Use a VPN – the Fasthosts study has shown that over half of Brits do not use a VPN (virtual private network) when working from home. A VPN is crucial for improving online privacy and keeps activity hidden from cybercriminals.

Back up your data – data can be lost in numerous ways. To prevent data loss, be sure to back-up your device routinely – usually during out of office hours. Have a backup power system in case of a local power cut and avoid, where possible, using small items such as USB sticks to store data which can be easily misplaced. 

Update Virus Protection Software – company smart devices will usually have up-to-date virus protection software, but these need to be updated every so often, especially if you’re out of the office. Having out-of-date virus protection can pose a risk to data security and computer health. 

Lock your device when you are not using it – if you work in spaces which are shared with people that you don’t work with – whether that is public transport, a café, a shared home, or a library – you should be careful with your device and data. In a situation like this, be sure to lock your device any time you’re not using it.

“Be more mindful and seek the correct training”

Michelle Stark, Sales and Marketing Director at Fasthosts, remarked: “It’s sad to see the risks of cybercrime so prevalent whilst many Britons are working from home.

“Keeping you and the business safe online is critical to keeping confidential data secure. We urge all consumers to read our top tips, be more mindful and seek the correct training whilst working from home”

The full study can be found here: https://www.fasthosts.co.uk/blog/the-data-risks-of-working-from-home/

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