How to Keep Your Remote Job Safe When You Are Travelling

There has been a recent rise in remote jobs becoming available. Since 2019, there has been a 460% increase in remote jobs around the world. This is a massive increase which has mostly been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Remote jobs are fantastic as they offer more flexibility both to businesses and employees. However, there are some risks to having a remote job. You must be aware of the dangers you face when working remotely.

Your remote job could be a target for cybercriminals, especially while you are travelling. Your devices could be at risk if you don’t have the necessary cybersecurity tools installed on them. This can cause you and your employers headaches in the future. Read on to find out how to keep your devices protected from cyberattacks.

What Risks do You Face While Travelling?

Your devices are more at risk when you are travelling. If they are not secure there is potential for cybercriminals to launch an attack on your devices which could cause you numerous problems.

While travelling we often have to rely on public WiFi hotspots to get connected to the internet. These are convenient, cheap and easy to access which makes them ideal for any work you need to do for your remote job.

However, the very same reason they are so convenient for us is why they are a prime tool for cybercriminals to use when targeting their next victims to launch a cyberattack. It gives them an opportunity to breach your devices and commit their crimes.

The problem with public WiFi hotspots is that they are unsecured networks. This means that anyone is able to access them. Cybercriminals can use various tactics on an unsecured network to gain access to other devices that are on the same network.

For example, a cybercriminal could intercept your device’s connection to the network which would allow them to gain access to your device and keep track of your internet traffic while you are online.

They can do this by intercepting your traffic, which is sent to their device before being relayed to the connection point. This means that your internet traffic and any data you send and receive will pass through their device first.

This is dangerous as it allows a hacker to steal your data and files. It could also allow them to install malicious software (also known as malware) on your device without your knowledge.

Different Types of Malware

Malicious software is extremely dangerous and it can cause you a lot of frustration. Moreover, it poses a great risk to any files and information you have on your devices relating to your remote job.

The first form of malware to look out for is one that is very well-known. Viruses can be extremely dangerous and they can come in different forms. These are extremely dangerous for your devices as each one is unique in what its objective is. Some viruses are designed to destroy files while others target your operating system which could completely destroy your device’s software.

Another important form of malware to be aware of is spyware. Spyware is able to reside on your device undetected. It keeps a log of all your data and traffic, which allows the cybercriminal to see what you have on your device. If you have any sensitive data or important information on your device, the hacker can make a move to try and get hold of it.

Ransomware is the most dangerous form of malware you can find on your device. In 2021 alone, the damage caused by ransomware is estimated to be around $20 billion in the US alone. It has been estimated that each ransomware attack has caused around $8100 in damage.

Ransomware is used to encrypt important files on your device, which prevents you from opening, moving or transferring them until you pay a ransom fee to the cybercriminals. The costs involved in removing ransomware from your device are exponential, which is what makes it such a dangerous form of malware.

Oftentimes malware can also be transmitted to other devices. Thus, you could be endangering your colleagues by not protecting your device. Malware can be attached to emails, physical media such as hard drives and USBs or even be sent through links and messaging services.

How to Keep Your Devices Safe

You must ensure that your devices are protected before you travel to prevent any cyberattacks. If your devices are not protected you risk losing important files or costing your business a lot of money.

There are some basic cybersecurity tools you need to install on your devices to ensure that they are kept safe. However, these are not only important to have while travelling, but it’s also a good idea to make use of them while you’re working from home.

The first cybersecurity tool is a must-have for any device. Antivirus software is a crucial tool for your defensive arsenal. The antivirus software will constantly scan your device for any malicious software, and if any malware is found on your device it can take action to remove it.

However, you must ensure that your antivirus software is always kept up to date. Software updates are regularly sent out by developers to fix any potential flaws that have been found in the software They will also be used to add extra defensive features to protect your device against any new tactics that have been developed by cybercriminals to bypass the antivirus software.

Another important cybersecurity tool you need to use is a premium VPN. This tool is especially important when you are travelling. A VPN or virtual private network is able to encrypt your internet connection which will prevent anyone from keeping a log of your traffic, thus keeping you safe while you’re online.

A VPN will mask your location and what you do on your device whenever you are online. You can change your device’s location by connecting to one of several global servers. It is also able to block millions of malicious websites and phishing attacks. It is important to use a premium VPN as opposed to a free one as they have several drawbacks such as slower internet speeds, bandwidth limits and limited global servers to choose from.