
Protecting Your Home & Business Data While Working From Home
Suppose you are an office or business owner working from home or even a business professional working out of the house. In that case, your computer is your best weapon for keeping your private business information secure while you work out of the home. Clients, competitors, and hackers are always looking to take your business information, so if you put home computer security off the table, you mustn’t put confidential business information on the back burner when vital data is stored on your personal computers. The following tips will help you secure your computer and protect your company secrets.
Never use business passwords in public areas of a building, such as elevators and lobbies. Use only your company name and contact information on your computer. Make sure that your computer password or access codes are not visible anywhere on your computer. The easiest way to ensure that no one has your company information is to use a password and access code lock on your computer.
Do not store more than five user names and passwords on your personal computer. Store all information on a hard drive, and do not share it with anyone unless you trust them completely. You never know when your hard drive will become corrupted or lost. Your business may be compromised, and your data were stolen if you share your company information with just anyone.
Never store the company logo and other printed materials on your computer. Always have them on separate drives, where your company logo cannot be seen.
Install the latest anti-virus and firewall software on your computer when working out of the home, including an Internet connection. These are great ways to detect and prevent computer viruses from attacking your computer. You can also set up a virus scanner on your home computer and update your firewall and anti-virus software at least once a week.
When you are working out of home and traveling, always carry your laptop with you. If you are at home, you should always bring your phone with you. Your laptop or desktop computer should be on the primary power source in case of a blackout or if there is a power outage. Always keep a spare battery handy if you are using any external device when working out of your home. Some people may think you do not need to use traditional protective devices because you are working from your home’s comforts.
If a burglar breaks into your home, do not use the same door you used to access the building. Instead of hiding the information away in a cabinet, leave it behind with your neighbors. This could allow them access to it.
There are many home security devices that you can invest in for your home or work. You can choose to install an outside camera, alarm system, a home security video monitor, or even wireless cameras that will alert you when someone tries to gain access to your home or business. If there are children in the home or outside, you can install a video monitoring system. A keypad is also a great home security device, allowing you to monitor who is coming into your home and leave your home at night.
Use a dummy camera to keep the eyes of people you do not know out of the view of cameras while they are trying to break into your home. It can be a good idea to hang a plastic bag containing your business’s name and address off the front door to keep your employees from being recorded. You can also hang a sign or tape a note on your window that says, “Do not record.” You can also use a fake gun when entering a home to deter criminals.
If you are out at night and there is no home, leave the fire extinguisher and run to safety before a fire gets too large. Even though you are working out of your home, you should always be prepared to save lives. And property.
In the end, you want to make sure that your family, your home, and your business are well protected. You can learn more about protecting them when you visit the links below.