Working remotely gives workers incredible freedom, but it comes with serious responsibilities. When you work from home, it’s even more important than usual that you take steps to protect your home Wi-Fi network from data thieves. After all, it’s not just your data on the line, but your employer’s, too.
So, how should you secure your home wireless network for teleworking? Ahead, we’ll dive into the basics of remote work security and show you how to lock down your home network.
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Why Data Security Matters for Remote Workers
In 2023, the average cost of a data breach for the hacked organization was $4.45 million (and much higher in certain industries such as healthcare, where the average breach cost a crushing $10 million-plus). That’s not even counting the reputational damage a data breach can inflict on a company, especially if it involves highly sensitive information like medical records.
One small vulnerability is often all a hacker needs to access a network, and every employer is responsible for maintaining IT policies that minimize these gaps in protection. However, IT security teams have less control at the “edges” of a network, where most remote workers are. Thus, each employee is accountable for preventing a data breach in their home networks, starting with these crucial rules.
How to Secure a Network: 7 Key Steps for Remote Workers
1. Follow your employer’s cybersecurity rules.
Policies only work when they’re followed, so make sure you know all of your employer’s cybersecurity rules. Read your company’s cybersecurity policies carefully, especially the parts that pertain to remote work. You’ll still need to use your own best judgment, but getting familiar with the policies will ensure you know the baseline best practices that your employer expects from you.
2. Change default network passwords.
Changing default passwords is a key first step in home network security. Cybercriminals often access Wi-Fi networks by trying common default passwords, so you’ll want to ensure that all of your household network devices have strong, unique passwords.
Your Wi-Fi router is the first device to check, but it’s important to verify that any devices that connect to your network use strong passwords. Don’t forget about smart home devices — many users forget to change these passwords, making them a common entry point for cybercriminals. It’s also a good idea to refresh your network passwords if you haven’t changed them in a year or more.
3. Use WPA2 or WPA3 security.
Your Wi-Fi router and other network hardware should support WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. These protocols help secure Wi-Fi networks by encrypting their traffic so only users with the correct password (technically called a network security key) can gain access.
WPA encryption is enabled by default on practically every modern router. However, if your hardware is older, you’ll want to check to verify that it has at least WPA2 support and preferably WPA3. These are updated versions of the standard that add protective features and improve encryption.
4. Keep software updated.
Unpatched software is another common entry point for hackers, so make sure you’ve downloaded any relevant software updates for your devices. First, check to ensure that your operating system itself (such as Windows 11 or macOS) is up to date. Most operating systems automatically install critical updates themselves, but it’s always worth verifying that automatic OS updates are turned on.
For other software, it’s often a good idea to turn on your computer’s automatic software updates feature, available on both Windows and macOS. This will automatically download a package of software updates for your currently installed applications. While you’re at it, make sure mobile devices like phones and tablets have their software updated, too, especially if they touch your work applications.
5. Create strong, unique passwords and store them in a password manager.
Weak passwords are yet another classic cybersecurity mistake to avoid. Instead of a single word or phrase, choose a hard-to-guess combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that you’ve never used for any other account. If you reuse passwords and one of your accounts is compromised, a cybercriminal might be able to gain access to your entire digital life just from one password.
Fortunately, you don’t have to remember all those strong, unique passwords (nor should you try to write them all down). Instead, use a password manager app to keep your passwords safe and organized. Plenty of options are available; look for one with strong encryption and a good reputation for security.
6. Make sure your network has both a hardware and a software firewall.
A firewall is a protocol that creates a protective barrier between your home network and keeps out unauthorized traffic from the wider internet. Most users don’t need to understand the technical ins and outs of a firewall, so long as you have one — or preferably two.
Today’s firewalls come in both hardware and software varieties, and your network should include both. Modern routers typically include a basic hardware firewall, which you can activate through your router’s settings page. Operating systems like Windows 11 and macOS also include a built-in software firewall that adds extra layers of protection to your system. If you’re working with highly sensitive data, however, you might also consider a third-party software firewall to achieve truly in-depth protection.
7. Consider a VPN if your employer doesn’t provide one.
Many employers require remote employees to connect via a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN runs your connection through an encrypted server of a trusted third party, making your traffic much less vulnerable to bad actors. If your employer doesn’t provide a VPN, it’s a good idea to consider using one anyway as part of your general home network security tactics.
VPNs can indeed slow down a Wi-Fo connection to a degree. However, modern VPNs on broadband internet connections shouldn’t have a noticeable slowdown. If you think your VPN might be slowing down your connection, try running an internet speed test with it on and off, and talk to your IT department if you notice a difference.
Nobody wants to be part of the next data breach cautionary tale. The good news is that the best practices we’ve just talked about will keep your home network safe from the majority of common threats. Use common sense, keep everything updated, and enjoy the perks of going to work in sweatpants!
