With all the chat about remote work and productivity—the morning routines, ergonomic chairs, and the specific placement of houseplants around a workspace—many companies and individuals have failed to address one of the biggest risks of working outside the office: online security.
It’s fantastic to be no longer tethered to a cubicle. However, remote workers forget that it also means they are no longer shielded by office-grade IT infrastructure.
Each individual becomes their own IT department when the kitchen table becomes the office. Most are underqualified and overconfident.
Cyber Safety Practices for Remote Workers
Why It Matters?
Public Wi-Fi, home routers with default passwords from 2012, and IT support via WikiHow just don’t cut it in light of today’s online threats. It also makes remote workers some of the easiest targets for cybercriminals.
Free internet at a cosy cafe where you can work for hours is lovely and convenient, but also leaves your remote work set up completely vulnerable. It’s exposed to various hacking techniques, including the public Wi-Fi favourite man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.
A hacker could easily intercept your internet traffic, collect your credentials, and gain entry to your email, cloud files, or even bank accounts. Then, they can sell that information on the dark web.
Even working from home on a seemingly secure network, you’re probably more at risk than you’d like to think. A router that uses default settings can easily be exploited.
Hackers can use router vulnerabilities to install malware or hijack the entire network. These tactics might lead to data theft, financial losses, legal issues, etc.
Threats Uncovered
Phishing scams are common and relatively easy to execute. Although not particular to remote workers, it’s not difficult for a hacker to leverage the nature of digitally connected teams to get information they want.
They create fake, but often well-disguised requests. For example, a password reset from Slack, a hard-to-pass-up fully remote job offer, or an important file from “your boss” and send them along.
Just a few keystrokes or misclicks, and you’ve accidentally exposed your credentials or system to malware.
If your internet traffic isn’t encrypted, especially on public networks, everything you do becomes public information.
Weak or reused passwords can also expose your accounts to being cracked or, worse, exploited by credential stuffing attacks in the event of a data breach. The list goes on and on.
There’s also physical theft to consider. Almost every remote worker knows someone who has left their laptop behind at a bus station or had their phone pickpocketed in Barcelona. Cybercrime can also be executed on a device that has been misplaced or stolen.
Essential Cybersecurity Tips
Passwords matter. Always, always use a strong and unique password for every account. Avoid writing them in a notebook.
If you’re a remote worker on the move, imagine how grateful a hacker would be to find a physical list of account passwords sitting between a cushion at the cafe they use to scope on public networks.
Use a digital password manager. Always enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
At home, change the default router credentials to something unique and secure. If possible, opt for a network using the WPA3 security standard, which is the latest and most secure of all network protocols.
Disable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) on your router, which has been linked to significant security vulnerabilities.
Always keep your software updated, including operating systems, apps, antivirus, browsers—everything.
Outdated software is an easy entry point for hackers looking to exploit CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) that remain unpatched by security updates.
Setting up your devices to receive automatic updates is a great way to automate the process.
It’s best not to use work laptops to stream pirated movies or shop on questionable websites. Keep work devices for work only—it’s not just about productivity, it’s also to keep professional data safe.
Using a VPN
A VPN service has many useful applications for remote workers. For workers outside their home countries, a VPN can help bypass geolocation restrictions.
This function can be a lifesaver for researchers, remote administrators, and personal assistants.
A VPN also uses encryption ciphers to make it significantly harder, if not impossible, for potential prying eyes to view stolen or intercepted data, which is especially useful on public networks.
If you’re a remote worker, especially if you enjoy working from cafes, public parks, and even coworking spaces, you should use a VPN for your laptop, phones, and tablet.
A VPN is really easy to set up and use. The list of pros includes location masking, encrypted connections, protection on public Wi-Fi, and access to geo-restricted content.
The list of cons? Don’t forget to turn it on (although most providers now have options to auto-connect).
The Non-Negotiables
Don’t leave your laptop unattended at a bar. Lock your screen when you walk away, even at home.
Avoid plugging unknown USB drives (seriously—some ethical hackers test security by leaving infected USBs lying around, and you’d be shocked by how many people plug them in out of curiosity). Use all the tools at your disposal, including common sense.
Being cautious, informed, and attentive is not paranoid. It’s smart! Remote work is great for flexibility, focus, and getting laundry done, but with that freedom comes risks that hardly get taken seriously until it’s too late.
Protecting your data, devices, and reputation isn’t just a company’s responsibility, it’s a team effort.
