--- title: Working from home? Here's our security checklist for working remotely description: Here's our checklist that will help you to be more secure while working from home, as more employees work remotely to reduce the spread of COVID-19. image: https://www.themissinglink.com.au/hubfs/Remote%20Working.jpg --- [Cyber Security.](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/news/tag/cyber-security) 1.04.20 # Working from home? Here's our security checklist for working remotely As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, Australian businesses are working hard to address the ongoing economic challenges that we are currently facing. The Australian Government is continuing to enforce stricter social distancing restrictions to [flatten the economic curve](https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert); as a result, businesses are incorporating additional remote multi-device access into their operations to allow their staff to work from home. However, the risk of cyber threats is growing as the volume of employees working remotely is increasing. We’ve put together a 6-point checklist to help you stay safe while working remotely: #### **1. Check that you’re using a secure WiFi connection** - Disable WPS. - Enable WPA2-PSK. - Check your password to ensure it is at least as strong as the requirements for your domain password. - Ensure your router password is not the default, most routers come with basic passwords like ‘Admin/Admin’ or ‘Admin/1234!’ that makes it easy for non-technical people to get in…and easy for hackers to have a field day. #### **2. Ensure all devices are patched and up to date** Updates to device operating systems and applications are important as they include patches for security vulnerabilities that have been identified since the last update. All personal computers or laptops on your home network should be patched as well as all work devices.   #### **3. Do not use your personal computers to connect to any of the company’s services even if you are using MFA** This also includes not connecting to email, SharePoint or Citrix.   #### **4. Lock your company laptop when unattended** It is important always to be mindful of confidential/ client data on your work computer. Locking your device is a good practice to get in the habit of when leaving your device unattended, Press Windows key + L together or Hold down Shift + Command + Q. if you’re using a Mac.   #### **5. Be on high alert!** There has been an increase in phishing incidents related to [COVID-19](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news-alerts/covid-19-coronavirus-scams); the H-A-L-T principle makes it easier to help identify and report suspicious emails: - **Headers:** Check the ‘From’, ‘To’ and ‘Cc’ on all emails you receive. Look for suspicious details, e.g. misspelling, unknown address, numbers replacing letters 3 = e. - **Attachments:** Do not open any attached documents from unknown sources. Consider opening attachments from colleagues, ask them to send you the document storage location instead! - **Links:** Avoid clicking on hyperlinks. This is used to install malicious programs on your device automatically or to redirect you to a web page requiring you to input your username and password. Never input personal info after clicking a link on an email. - **Tone:** Were you expecting this email? Is the email asking you to do something urgently? Are you the only recipient but the email is written to sound like it is a mass notification? These are some questions you should ask if you are suspicious of an email. If you identify any of the above, then report it to your IT Team immediately. If you personally know the sender, then call them to confirm it was them that sent it!   #### **6. Report any suspicious activity immediately ** It’s always better to be overly cautious with cybersecurity, if there is a security risk you’ve identified or if you’re in doubt, it is still better to report it to your IT team immediately.   In these trying times, we must ask ‘what more can we be doing to protect and test ourselves’, as our team members are the first line of defence. If you need advice about how to safeguard yourself when working remotely, or if you need any extra security solutions, we are always here for a [chat.](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/contact-us) **Author** [The Missing Link](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/news/author/the-missing-link) share [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.themissinglink.com.au/news/our-security-checklist-for-remote-work) [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themissinglink.com.au%2Fnews%2Four-security-checklist-for-remote-work) [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themissinglink.com.au%2Fnews%2Four-security-checklist-for-remote-work) ![The Missing Link](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/hubfs/TML-Infy-Core-Logo-RGB-Org%20-%20Edited.png) - Featured Services - [SmartCLOUD](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/smartcloud) - [SmartPROTECT](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/smartprotect) - [Application Security ](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/application-security) - [RPA](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/ai-automation-services/ai-powered-automation/rpa-as-a-service) - [Managed Detection ](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/managed-detection-and-response) - [Managed IT ](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/managed-it-services) - [Cloud Security Services](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/cloud-security-services) - [Managed IT Security](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/managed-security-services) - [Managed IT Sydney](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/managed-it-services-sydney) - [Managed IT Melbourne](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/managed-it-services-melbourne) - Legal - [Terms & Conditions​](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/terms-and-conditions) - [Fair Use Policy](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/fair-use-policy) - [Terms of Use](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/terms-of-use) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/privacy-policy) - [Acceptable Usage Policy](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/acceptable-usage-policy) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/cookie-policy) - [Vulnerability Disclosure Policy](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/vulnerability-disclosure-policy) - More - [Contact Us ​](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/contact-us) - [Careers](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/careers) - [Government ​](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/government) - [Sitemap ](https://www.themissinglink.com.au/our-sitemap) ##### Acknowledgement of Country The Missing Link acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of all communities who also work and live on this land. ** ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The Missing Link", "url" : "https://www.themissinglink.com.au/news/author/the-missing-link" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-02T02:01:22.467Z", "datePublished" : "2020-04-01T05:49:37.000Z", "headline" : "Working from home? 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