Today’s modern employee carries their work with them everywhere they go via smartphones, tablets or laptops. Mainly this can be seen as a convenience, but for employees that carry around not only their work files on their mobile devices, but also personal information this may be a dangerous practice. Here are a few suggestions to keep your personal information secure especially if you keep personal files, data, photos or financial information on your work devices.
- Beware of Impersonators – Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with. If a company that claims to have an account with you sends email asking for personal information, don’t click on links in the email. Instead, type the company name into your web browser, go to their site, and contact them through customer service.
- Encrypt Your Data – Keep your browser secure. To guard your online transactions, use encryption software that scrambles information you send over the internet. A “lock” icon on the status bar of your internet browser means your information will be safe when it’s transmitted. Look for the lock before you send personal or financial information online.
- Use Security Software – Install antivirus software, antispyware software, and a firewall. Set your preference to update these protections often. Have your IT Department or Consultants like M&H update your security regularly.
- Lock your Device – Your laptop, phone or table should be locked when you are not using it. Do not use automatic sign ins instead use personal identification protocols.
- Be Wise About Wi-Fi – Before you send personal information over your laptop or smartphone on a public wireless network in a coffee shop, library, airport, hotel, or other public place, see if your information will be protected. If you use an encrypted website, it protects only the information you send to and from that site. If you use a secure wireless network, all the information you send on that network is protected.
Call M&H Consulting if you have questions about your personal or business data and security.
Categorised in: Computer Support, Security