The rise in cyber attacks shows that internet security is a serious problem: ways to ensure internet privacy while at home
The spread of COVID-19 is also affecting the activity of cyber threat creators during this sensitive period of time around the world. Many countries have reached phases where their citizens have had to shelter at home to be safe and quarantines have been mandatory. Other places in the world require that those who travel have to be in isolation for at least two weeks.
Two weeks, a month, half a year, no one likes quarantine. Especially when you have to keep working, but all you can do is do it from home. Studying or working from home can have more risks when browsing the internet because the material you access and your private information can possibly be shared on the internet. Private information is the number one target for cyber criminals after outright blackmail.
Even though this may be a good time to spend with loved ones, there is much more free time. So during the quarantine, you can decide to stop watching movies or TV shows on streaming platforms, services and TV channels. Or even pirated movies. However, when the quarantine is extended, working and studying at home becomes a new norm in every home.
Actors use the name of COVID-19 virus for malicious purposes
The fact that people have more online presence and pay less attention to some content and details makes malicious actors more likely to take advantage of these situations. There are tons of phishing attacks and campaigns where criminals can use time sensitive and spread malware or try to attract users’ attention with COVID-19-themed emails.
These reports started popping up in 2020, and all malicious attacks started to get nastier. You need to start considering and be more cautious than ever because anything related to the Coronavirus is taken advantage of and can be the first chain between the dangerous and the legitimate. There are already some known tactics:
- phishing sites that purportedly provide updates on the pandemic;
- email campaigns focused on information about COVID-19;
- Coronavirus ransomware and other types of malware.
Online risks of being and working from home
You can use your home computer every day, but running the device non-stop for 12 hours or more for weeks can affect your machine significantly, so you may run into some problems that have never happened before when you used to use it less. Exposure to the internet and online content that can be dangerous or malicious is also a serious problem, in addition to direct access to hackers that can be obtained through malicious sites.
It goes without saying that the internet is not a safe place for everyone. However, when it comes to working online, your first step on a dangerous site can cause problems for the entire company network. Your connection needs to be secure, so keeping sensitive information regardless of your job and private data has to remain private.
You can try to separate the accounts on your computer to keep the private sections and sections safe. Still, you need to have all critical applications, security tools, and programs installed and running. Any vulnerability in the connection or devices can be easily exploited by hackers. Also, when your work includes confidential information, your home internet provider can access some information that should not leave the company network. These events can lead to a data breach.
What to do and what to avoid
The most important thing during this time for both quarantine sites is to stay informed and cautious, but not to panic. The infection spreads easily, so staying home can help others be safe and stop the virus from spreading further. You need to consider how severe all the cases are in your area and how dangerous it would be for you to leave your home.
Keep the virus distribution information up to date, but try to focus on more important things. For example, work. If you need to continue working from home, be sure to make all connections and devices as secure as possible, so there are no risks or problems down the road, and you can easily do your work while the quarantine is active.
- Be aware that phishing campaigns and other problems related to emails and this type of communication-
- Make sure that sensitive information is encrypted and that you use trusted platforms.
- Use cyber security tools for the entire company.
- Avoid public internet connections, unknown devices, and people who want to connect.
Private Internet Access – one of the tools to have private connections
The Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the example VPN programs that, in these cases, can help you with a few problems at a time. You can protect your security online and identify why when an IP address is configured in a different location, your ISP cannot indicate the particular connection to the person. You can browse anonymously and access content that normally cannot be accessed due to particular location, for example.
You have a secure VPN account while using an application and you can use the Wi-Fi encryption function to have all your internet connections and traffic secure with encryption. Trackers, ad campaigns and malware will be easily blocked when this app is running. PIA does not record your activity, this VPN service does not use any traffic log functionality, it only measures that the ISP limitation is not occurring.
Even if you are not a technical expert or have knowledge, you can configure this application easily and the only thing that the program needs is your click. All connections will automatically be secure and encrypted. You can be sure that your private information is not accessible and that all the activity on pages you visit will not be seen by anyone.
All the features are useful for working or studying from home, but with a single subscription, you can configure up to ten different devices and secure your family’s devices and allow them to access Netflix or different platforms without restrictions. If the two-month subscription does not satisfy you, you can request a refund of the money.
