Stay safe while working from home: Working remotely without data leaks

First: What Your Employer Requires

Many companies have their own policies and often a dedicated corporate access point that you must use to connect to the work network. Those rules always take precedence. A personal VPN does not replace a corporate connection – if you’re unsure, check with your IT department about what’s allowed.

Keep Work and Personal Separate

• Use the company‑issued device for work and your own device for personal use. Gaming, personal downloads, and third‑party apps have no place on a work laptop.
• Store company files only where the organization specifies, not on private USB sticks or personal cloud storage.
• Do not forward work‑related e‑mails to your personal address.

Secure Your Home Network

Your router is now also the gateway to corporate data. Set a unique password for the router’s admin interface, use WPA3 (or WPA2 with a strong Wi‑Fi password), and keep firmware updates enabled. Smart devices and guests should be on a guest Wi‑Fi. Our guide “Securing Your Router” and the Home Network Check will walk you through each step.

Screen and Calls

• Lock your screen as soon as you step away – on Windows press Windows key + L, on Mac press Control + Command + Q.
• Be mindful of who might be listening or watching during video conferences. A blurred background prevents notes on the wall from showing up on camera.
• It’s best to avoid confidential phone calls near smart speakers.

Beware of “From the Boss” Messages

Scammers exploit the fact that many home‑office communications happen via chat. Typical tricks include urgent requests for a transfer, gift‑card codes, or a new password. Always verify such requests through a separate channel, such as a phone call to a known number – never using the contact details provided in the suspicious message.

Protect Your Logins

Enable two‑factor authentication wherever possible and use a unique password for each service. A password manager makes this easy.

Working On the Go

In cafés, trains, or hotels you share Wi‑Fi with strangers. If your employer permits it, a VPN encrypts your connection to our servers, shielding you from eavesdroppers on the same network. Alternatively, tethering to your phone’s hotspot is usually safer than using an open Wi‑Fi.

If Something Goes Wrong

Clicked a suspicious link or lost a device? Report it to your IT department immediately – the faster you act, the smaller the impact. No one will blame you for being honest about the incident.