Geek’s Blog

Security Tips for Isolation


Security Tips for Isolation

Over the last few years, working from home has become increasingly popular in New Zealand. Head of IWG Australia and New Zealand Damien Sheehan said, “We are entering the era of the mobile workforce and it is hugely exciting. Not just for individual employees, but for businesses too.” However, the coronavirus Covid-19 has resulted in more people going into isolation and therefore working from home. With that in mind, we have put together our top security tips for isolation and staying safe whilst using your devices at home. We are passionate about giving you the most effective and up to date information and are confident that we can get you set-up with a safe working environment.

Physical Safety + Security Tips for Isolation

Making sure your devices are physically safe is super important. This is regularly an afterthought, but if you leave the house with company devices (for staying on top of your work) still inside, then physical safety should be a high priority.

  • Lock your devices – If you need to leave the house for supplies, make sure you lock your devices. It could be detrimental to your company or the company you work for if highly important information is accessed by the wrong person. Even if you head into another room, you shouldn’t leave your work open, especially with young children or roommates around.
  • Do not expose your laptop to rapid temperature changes: always use a laptop in room temperatures that avoid the generation of more heat and no potential damage should occur. Moreover, avoid using a laptop in the sunlight where possible as well.
  • Separate your home & work-life – This tip is essential if you want to stay productive. Locking your devices away can help you to keep work separate and not tempt you to work after hours.
  • Keep your laptop at constant room temperature – A computer or laptop is more likely to become damaged from heat than it is cold. In fact, a computer may operate more efficiently in cooler conditions. However, taking a computer that has been in cold temperature to a warmer temperature, can cause condensation in the computer that causes damage. Most laptops are built to operate between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 35 C).

Security Tips for Isolation – Passwords + Access

It is essential to start thinking about how to guard yourself against cybercriminals. Even at times of crisis they will still be actively working to gather sensitive information or gain unauthorised access. It’s time to brush up on your password security.

  • Password protection – access to your computer’s desktop should at least be password-protected, and the password should be a strong one. If the system is stolen, this will keep the thief from easily accessing company information.
  • Use a password manager – When you are connected to your office network you may have automatic access to certain websites or applications. Working from home can mean that you may be required to enter a variety of passwords to gain access. Using a password manager like LastPass is more secure than having all of your passwords written down on a piece of paper.
  • Encryption also helps protect information on stolen or compromised computers. Check whether data encryption is active on your work machine. If you’re not sure, ask your IT department whether you have it and if they think it’s necessary.
  • Turn file sharing off – If you’re connecting your work computer to your home network, make sure you don’t make it visible to other computers in the network. If you have to add it to the HomeGroup, then make sure the option to share files is off.

Separate Work and Personal Devices

Here at Geeks on Wheels, we understand how important it is to keep work and home life separate. That goes for using your devices especially. If you have online shopping to do on your computer, that could distract you from work you have to do. It’s best to keep the devices separate.

  • Keep home/work spreadsheets separate –  You can not only create confusion for yourself but also end up compromising your personal information. This happens when a cybercriminal may be looking to breach your company.
  • Keep your home/work emails separate – This can look unprofessional. You wouldn’t do it from the office so there is no need to do it from home. When you return to the office you may be receiving work emails to your personal address and that can disrupt your time off the clock.
  • Keep your kid’s homework and data separate –  Company data and kid’s websites are huge targets for data actors. Data actors can get information from non – secure remote workers. If you have this information on the same device then not only will they get company data but information on students too.

Cyber – Security Tips for Isolation

The risk of cyber-security when working from home may be heightened as you are in a more relaxed environment. This means that you may use your social devices more often. You may also forget to go about things in a way that you would in the office.

  • Watch out for phishing email scams – If you want to keep your details safe then follow the simple steps in this blog and avoid phishing and email scams.
  • Social media –  It’s important to use your devices in the same way that you would if you were in the office. Criminals use social media to trap their victims and share misinformation.

What we offer – Protection!

Here at Geeks on Wheels, we understand that making the adjustment to remote work can be daunting. That’s why our technicians are on hand to assist you with setting up your devices. We have a newly revised No Contact Support service in place. Furthermore, we are 100% committed to helping you with your technology.

Whether you need the Office 365 package on your home computer, require antivirus software or simply need computer issues sorted so you can get to work, Geeks on Wheels is just a call away. Book now or call 0800 424 335.