Working securely from anywhere

Working from home, a cafe, or an airport is normal now. The risks change when you leave the office, so a few habits travel with you.

Networks you do not control

Public Wi-Fi is shared with strangers. Avoid doing sensitive work on it, and when you must, use your company's VPN so your traffic is encrypted. A phone hotspot is often safer than open cafe Wi-Fi. Be suspicious of networks with names that almost match a real one; attackers set up look-alike hotspots.

Keep work and personal separate

Use your work device for work and keep personal accounts off it where you can. If you must use a personal device, follow your organisation's rules for doing so. Mixing the two makes a single mistake spread further.

Protect what people can see and hear

• Shoulder surfing is real. Angle your screen away from others, and consider a privacy filter in public.
• On video calls, be aware of what is visible or audible behind you, including sensitive documents and conversations.
• Lock your screen whenever you step away, even at home.

Home setup basics

Change the default password on your home router, keep it updated, and use a strong Wi-Fi passphrase. Your home network is now part of your work security.

Quick rules

1. VPN on untrusted networks; prefer a hotspot over open Wi-Fi.
2. Keep work on work devices.
3. Mind who can see your screen and hear your calls.