Covid-19 has presented a new normal to businesses. Going remote has helped many businesses stay afloat. Besides, it has improved the convenience of working. However, hackers have found golden opportunities to wreak havoc.
Cyber attacks can come in many forms. The common ones include brute-force attacks, ransomware, and phishing. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, attacks on small and medium-sized investments have tremendously risen.
But Why Is This So?
The obvious reason is that small businesses lack the financial muscle to protect their remote workers. Besides, they weren’t prepared to shift so quickly to the new work environment.
Hackers know this too. So, they increased their activity when businesses went remote. They could take advantage of vulnerabilities presented by inexperienced remote workers.
Such workers can easily use unsafe third-party software or click on suspicious links. This is especially true with workers who use their gadgets.
These risks are real and dangerous. But with the right cybersecurity knowledge, you can easily safeguard your organization from such attacks.
Below are three common cybersecurity risks and how to mitigate them:
- Use Of Unencrypted Internet Connections
The convenience of working from home is sweet. However, it has lead to a tremendous increase in the number of people using Wi-Fi in a different location. This provides fertile ground for hackers who target unsecured networks.
Public Wi-Fi in most cases is not encrypted. Unfortunately, many remote workers use them and for valid reasons. Cybercriminals get an easy opportunity to track online activities on unencrypted networks. They do this through packet sniffing and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Protecting sensitive customer data should be your priority. Therefore, you must invest in a VPN. A VPN is an excellent tool to shield your network from malicious cybercriminals. This tool allows you to encrypt your traffic online and the network you are connected to, therefore ensuring your security and privacy online.
- Phishing emails and malware attacks
The transition from a physical office to freelance work means employers have to allow employees to use their personal computers. But even if they use company gadgets, hackers still try to trick them through phishing emails.
The workers may be tempted to click because such emails peddle fake but attractive solutions to common problems. For example about Covid-19 cure, access to vaccinations, and tests. Once clicked, such phony emails can install malware to steal sensitive information from your organization.
The solution is to train your remote workforce to be aware of such tricks and to avoid clicking emails or links that are not verified. You can establish trust with users and their devices to maintain a level of confidentiality.
One of the most effective ways is to use a strong authentication such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). You have to choose the right MFA along with other forms of authentication to achieve optimal security against phishing attacks.
- Failure To Use Or Change Passwords (Or Sharing Of Passwords)
It is common for remote workers to share their passwords and other security logins with third parties. Maybe they want their partners, roommates, or friends to allow them to accomplish the tasks faster.
In extreme cases, some remote workers fail to use a password in the first place. And then there is the failure to change security passes periodically. All these practices can put an organization at greater risk of attack by hackers.
If you fail to password-protect your websites, hackers will have an easy time getting access. The same applies to the use of the same password for long periods or sharing. Once hackers get the credentials, they can walk into the heart of the corporate network. The consequences thereof are deadly.
The solution is to make it a must requirement for remote employees to use unique and sophisticated passwords. Such passwords should be multi-level to access the network, services, and data.
Strong passwords are those that contain letters (both large and small cases), at least a number, and a symbol. The complexity of such security codes can discourage even an avid hacker. Despite the strength, sharing such passwords still carries a level of risk.
You also need to encourage your virtual workforce to change their passwords as frequently as possible. A good way to go about it is to use a password management program. It can help employees create, use, and frequently swap their passwords.
Conclusion
Cybercriminals will find it hard to attack your remote workforce if you take the above steps. The Covid-19 pandemic still ravages and it might end one day. Before that happens, cyberattacks will always be real threats to corporate networks. The earlier you secure your remote workforce the safer will your business be.
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