Working online has pretty much become second nature to most – if not all – people (even if it’s not the main thing you do each day, you’ll probably spend at least a little time online in some capacity). And it doesn’t matter whether you’re running a business, freelancing, answering emails, shopping, or anything else – the fact is the internet is your workspace and, just like with any workspace, you need to make sure it’s a safe one. 

That’s the issue – as convenient as the internet is, and as much as many people wouldn’t even be able to do their jobs without it, it’s not perfect, and there are definitely risks to consider, like phishing scams, hacking, data theft, and other cybersecurity issues. With that in mind, here are some ways to stay protected while you’re working online, and the good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated at all. Read on to find out more. 

Use Strong, Unique Passwords 

We all need to use passwords for many different kinds of websites, stores, social media accounts, and so on – it seems as though everything online asks you to log in before you can get started. So it can be tempting to just pick one, easy-to-remember password and use it for everything – if that’s what you do, you won’t be alone. 

However, if that’s what you do, you’re leaving yourself open to hackers who, if they guess one of your passwords, suddenly have them all and they’ll be able to access any of your accounts they might want to, including your sensitive information, like your banking details. That’s why you need to choose strong passwords and have a unique one for each site you use. That can be a lot to remember, which is why investing in a password manager is such a good idea; you don’t have to remember the passwords, and you can stay protected. 

Keep Your Software Up-To-Date 

Another issue is outdated software because it can be exactly what a cybercriminal is looking for – they’ll be able to get into your programs and systems through old weaknesses that will have been fixed in later versions. 

That’s why you need to always say yes when your device prompts you to update the system or an app or program – assuming it’s convenient, of course (and if it’s not, make sure you schedule it in later on when it is, and don’t forget about it). In that way, you’ll keep the hackers out, plus you’ll always have the latest tech in place when it comes to viruses and other cybersecurity issues. 

Use A VPN For Privacy 

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a fantastic tool for keeping you safe and protected while you’re working online (or doing anything else online, come to that). They work by encrypting your internet connection, which makes it a lot harder for anyone like a hacker to intercept your data – and if you’re wondering can you be tracked with a vpn, it’s not a problem. 

The fact is that although there’s no tool out there than can protect you one hundred percent when it comes to hackers, a good VPN can really help by hiding your IP address and keeping you safe from any trackers (as well as the encryption we mentioned above), so it’s a great choice if you want to work online and stay safe. 

Secure Your Wifi Network

It’s really convenient to find some public wifi and use it when you need to, especially if there’s not much of a signal where you are, or you don’t want to use up all you data. However, the issue with these wifi networks is that they’re just not safe precisely because they’re open to everyone. It’s easy for those who want to see what other people are doing online (including how they log onto their banks, do their shopping, and so on) because everyone’s open and there’s no good security in place. 

If you do want to use public wifi, only use it for things that aren’t sensitive in nature – never check your bank balance or do any shopping that requires you to input your card details or log into an account or you could very well be putting your money (and identity) at risk. 

When you’re at home the problem might seem like it’s not so much of an issue because you’re on your own wifi, but the potential for cybercriminals to get into your stuff is still there if your home network isn’t kept secured, so you’ll need to use a VPN as we mentioned above, make sure the password is strong and protected, and perhaps even use WPA3 encryption for extra security – it’s better safe than sorry in this kind of situation!