Free Wi-Fi is tempting, especially as your venture into remote work, be sure that you deeply consider where your internet connection is coming from. Public connections at the local coffee shop, from apartment buildings, and public areas in general are usually unsecured and leave your devices open to outsiders. While these networks provide a convenience, there are risks to be aware of.
Limiting your shopping to familiar websites is a good place to start. Stick with the reputable sites that are tried and true – like Amazon or eBay. Also, before checking out and offering your banking information, look for the ‘padlock’ symbol or the abbreviation ‘https’ in the address bar at the top of your browser. This is your trust signal that you are on a secure, encrypted part of this webpage. Routinely check your bank statements for suspicious activity, and audit your team's statements for abnormalities too.
Common sense is key. f an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. If you get an email from an unknown source, don't click any of the links within it – and immediately report it to your IT department. If a window pops up while browsing a website, immediately close it. If someone sends you a request that is out of character, follow up with questions. Familiarity is always your friend. Using your judgment and trusting your gut is the ultimate defense when online. Always play it safe!
With today's resources, there's no reason to share your login information. Collaboration tools are everywhere allowing for you to store and collaborate on projects from the cloud. Some are even free. Teach your team to operate from the cloud and reduce the number of people who require your login information to yourself.