Image Source: Pixabay
Let’s face it, we are all addicted to the Internet, and while the entire world is now digital, it is perfectly natural to want to be connected while at work. However, if we use the company’s Internet connection to surf websites, there’s always a risk of a cyber-attack. With that in mind, here are a few best practices that will help to minimise the risk of your company becoming the victim of cyber-criminals.
- Don’t Plug in Memory Sticks to Company Hardware – Many people are unaware that viruses can be included into any code, and the moment you plug in your personal memory stick into an office computer, you are putting the entire network at risk. If you have an urge to send a friend some of your latest images that are saved on your memory stick, you are better off waiting until you get home, rather than taking the risk of infecting company hardware with malicious code.
- Talk to your Administrator – No doubt your office will be protected by one of the cyber security companies based in Sydney like CXO Security, and by asking the administrator if it is OK for you to go online using your own device, you have covered yourself. More often than not, the administrator will have your smartphone or tablet scanned prior to allowing it to make a connection with the LAN the company is using.
- Never Open Email Attachments You Are Not Expecting – Many harmful viruses are transported via email, and when an unsuspecting user double clicks on an email attachment file, that could trigger the release of a virus. Most malicious code requires a .exe extension in order to work. By being extra careful what you click on, you are minimising the risk of a virus infection at work.
- Make Sure Browsers Are Updated – Internet browsing programs, such as Google and Firefox should be regularly updated, and if not, they might be vulnerable to a virus that the browser is not protected against. There are always regular updates for browsing programs, and this is something that your network administrator would handle. When a new virus becomes known, programmers will create a patch that, when applied, will offer protection against the new virus.
- Avoid Visiting Unsuitable Websites – If you surf the Internet on an office computer, every URL you visit is logged in the temporary Internet cache folders, and that means your boss can easily see what you have been doing while online. This would include any website that you would rather keep to yourself, along with websites that could, in any way, compromise you at work.
- Read Privacy Policies – All websites, by law, must publish their privacy policy, and some websites sell user information to unscrupulous marketing companies. By reading the privacy policy, you are making sure that the information you give will not be used in an unethical way. Yes, it is time consuming, and yes, there are probably other things you could be doing, but we must always remember that at work, we are putting our employer at risk, as well as ourselves.
By following the above advice, you are minimising the risks of a cyber-attack, especially when using company hardware.
Oh no, lol.
So true. I once played an online game in my work place since you can just leave it open and the IT dept said don’t do it next time lol I was new to the company back then haha!