How ATLAS Can Help Now: Is Your Technology Protected?

Is Your Technology Protected?

Today, many people are working remotely – whether that is due to COVID19 or just regular operations for your organization. Remote users use various devices to access and use critical data while not physically at the organization’s facility.

Providing employees remote access is necessary today. But it comes with a big risk, data security. Additional security measures can help eliminate the majority of these risks. Remember, if even one employee is compromised through their device, all organization information is compromised.

Below is a list of the minimum actions our ATLAS IT team recommends that need to be taken by your remote employees to ensure their remote activity is secured and they are protecting their employer’s (your) data. Feel free to share this with your employees and colleagues.

SECURE YOUR WIFI

• Make sure you are connected to a wifi which you have control (you own/pay for or you know the owner). If you must connect to a public wifi (like a coffee shop or public building), let your employer know and get approval.
• Change and use a strong password for your wifi. Never make the connection unsecured and without a password.
• Use any of the WAP (Wireless Access Point) settings to encrypt the connection and with a strong password.

SECURE YOUR WORKSTATION (LAPTOP/DESKTOP)

• Make sure your workstation operating system (Windows, Linux, Mac) are updated with latest security updates. Click here for an article on how to check for updates on a Windows operating system.
• Use a separate user login for your job related work. If there is only one user account on the computer, create another account. Click here for a help article on how to add a user account (specific to Windows 10).
• Make sure you are using a strong password when logging in to your computer. Microsoft recommends having 12 mixed character (upper and lower) with at least one number and a special character. Also never use any common words in it including names.
• Uninstall any unnecessary software/apps from your device. Also remove any browser addons which you do not recognize. Here is one article that may help in deleting apps from your device.

VIRUSES AND MALWARE

• Use an antivirus program. Kaspersky, Webroot and McAfee can be bought for less than $40 for an year. Here is an article comparing some of the best antivirus programs.
• Make sure the antivirus updates are done and it’s with the latest version.
• Use these two standalone scanners to scan your machine and make sure you do not have any virus or malwares. MSERT and Stinger.
• Enable windows Firewall if it’s not managed by an antivirus solution.

 

Solutions like VPN, Citrix and Remote Desktops are more secure and offer a controlled environment that an employer can provide to its employees.

To know more about any of these solutions, security concerns or any IT services we can provide to help you navigate this difficult and confusing time, contact us here.