Safety and Cybersecurity at Home: Three Steps Any Household Can Take

• COVID-19 forced many people to work from home (WFH). While some have returned to the office, WFH has become part of our new normal. Safety and cybersecurity at home should be top of mind for everyone.
• Most homes run networks of devices linked to the internet, ranging from tablets and TVs to computers and smartphones. You can do three things to keep everyone in your home safer online.
  • Configure (and update) the security software that comes pre-installed on your devices. Most devices have built-in protection, and cloud-based software is updated automatically. Make sure you turn on the security features, configure the privacy and security settings, and enable auto-update on all your devices and software.
  • Secure your wireless router. Don’t forget that the device that allows you to connect to the internet, and your home network (the router), also has a password. Change the router’s default network name and password to keep identity criminals out. Your user name should not be something one can easily guess. The password should be unique and at least 12 characters long.
  • Don’t use your work computer for personal business. Chances are your company has rules around securing your work devices used at home. Make sure you follow your company protocols and don’t use your home device passwords on work devices. Don’t keep personal information on your work computer, and don’t store work information on your personal computer.
• To learn more about safety and cybersecurity at home, or if you believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center toll-free by phone (888.400.5530) or live-chat (idtheftcenter.org.)

The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of Americans to embrace working from their own home, a concept they had limited or no experience with at the time. While many employees have returned to the office, some companies have embraced a work-from-home model, with lots of people working from home at least part-time. According to a recent study by the University of Chicago, work-from-home is the preference for many people. Seventy-two (72) percent of workers surveyed said they would like to continue to work from home at least two days a week. Thirty-two (32) percent want to work from home permanently. In today’s new reality, people are staying connected to their offices through electronic devices. Safety and cybersecurity should be a top priority for everyone.

In our increasingly wireless world, we need to merge safety and cybersecurity at home. Most homes now run networks of devices linked to the internet, including computers, gaming systems, TVs, tablets and smartphones that access wireless networks. Having the right tools in place will instill confidence that anyone (a child playing a game on a tablet or an adult working on their laptop) can be safe and secure on the internet.

Three basic steps merge safety and cybersecurity at home and will protect you and your family from cyberattacks:

Configure (and Update) the Security Software that Comes Pre-Installed on Your Devices

Most devices have built-in protection, and cloud-based software is updated automatically. Make sure you turn on the security features, configure the privacy and security settings, and enable auto-update on all your devices and software.

If you have recently purchased a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, there are security features built into your device that help keep you safe and take the place of some tools you may have used in the past. Cloud-based software like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 includes security protections that automatically update security features. The current generation of browsers you use to search the internet, and the operating system on your device, also includes built-in security.

Even if you have an older device, but newer software, you may be protected from most known attacks as long as you keep your software updated. Your employer may also require you to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access a company network to enhance security.

Secure Your Wireless Router

Using a wireless router is a common, convenient way to allow multiple devices to connect to the internet from different areas of a home. However, unless the router is secure, you risk the possibility of others accessing the information on your computer or using your network to commit cybercrimes. All wireless devices using your router are vulnerable if the network is not protected. Securing your router and network is simple and vital in merging safety and cybersecurity at home.

1. Change the Name of Your Router – The manufacturer usually assigns the default ID. You should change your network name as well as your router user name.
2. Change the Passphrase on Your Router – If you leave the default password in place, it is easier for an identity criminal to access your network. According to NCA’s 2021 Oh Behave! Report, only 43 percent of participants reported creating long and unique passwords for their online accounts “very often” or “always”. Additionally, almost a third (28 percent) stated that they didn’t do this at all. Hive Systems reports that a 12+ character passphrase with uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers will take an identity criminal 200 years to crack.

Don’t Use Your Work Computer for Personal Business

Chances are your company has rules around securing your work devices used at home. Make sure you follow your company protocols. There are two critical rules to follow:

1. Don’t use your home device passwords on work devices. Cybercriminals take advantage of our bad personal habits to attack businesses. Using a unique password at work puts your company or employer at risk if your personal credentials are compromised in a data breach.
2. Don’t mix business and personal information. If your work device is compromised, you minimize your risk by keeping personal data off your work equipment. The same is true of keeping your work information off your personal devices in the event of a cyberattack.

Contact the ITRC

Taking simple steps to keep your family, your friends and yourself safe from cyber criminals inside your household should no longer be viewed as optional – rather a necessity. Between technological devices being introduced and updated rapidly and employees continuing to embrace working from home in some capacity, everyone is responsible for actively minimizing the risk of breaches and attacks inside their home.

If you have additional questions about safety and cybersecurity at home, or if you believe you were the victim of a cyberattack or identity crime, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center. You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by phone (888.400.5530) or live chat on the company website. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.