Hackers have launched a wave of cyber-attacks that try to exploit workers from home, as people often use unknown computer systems separate of their employer, and unfortunately, at times, unsecured. With a record number of people now working at home, the number of people around the world with access to the internet and computer networks has risen dramatically, as it has become a necessity and not a luxury as it was previously, to some degree.
The number of people working from home has soared in recent years, raising alarm bells as cybersecurity experts warned that it has created an ideal environment for cyber criminals to thrive. With so many people working at home cut off from regular contact with their IT departments, it is time for hackers to test the limits of individual vigilance. Remember that taking your work home carries serious security risks. More people than ever are working in their homes than in the office, and many of them work from home computers.
Without the security measures that office systems offer, such as blacklisted IP addresses, you are much more vulnerable to cyber-attacks, owing to your increasing dependence on your home computer.
Cybercriminals know this, and that is why ransomware attacks have become even more ubiquitous and effective over the course of the year. They know that there is a huge gap in cybersecurity between home and office computers, so they attack them.
Business leaders should work with their security teams to identify potential attack vectors that arise from more employees working from home and prioritize the security of their employees’ home computers and home networks. Building new and improved company-specific firewalls, for example, will help keep employees who work at home safe, both their homes and the company. Not only will this prevent cyber criminals from knowing that executives work at home and possibly share family networks, but it could also make it easier for attackers to penetrate corporate networks with only a few, unproblematic clicks.
While the rise of remote work offers cyber criminals a compromised network, it is possible for organizations to switch to remote work while protecting their employees and servers from cyber-attacks. Remote working means that much of your daily work activities are done by email, and this provides hackers with an easy way to infiltrate your network through social engineering, phishing and other forms of cyber-attacks. That makes two open windows now – unsecured networks and constantly-open email platforms.
Anticipating increased threats, employers managing a remote workforce should implement additional measures and training focused on detecting, countering, and responding to phishing attacks when working from home. An appropriate IT policy and training of employees is undoubtedly the best defense against cyber-attacks, but it is necessary to protect yourself from potential cyber-attacks.
Employees working from home are likely to face social engineering and phishing attacks that capitalize on this period of ongoing uncertainty. Beware of emails: We have already mentioned that phish emails are one of the most common types of cyber-attacks on employees when they work from home. Think before you click – cyber attackers will prey on you if you become a victim because you have a high level of confidence in the security of your network and your employees.
Be twice as careful and wake up while you work from home and be aware of any threats.