The days of fixed-location, 5-day workweek office jobs are a thing of the past for some. You now have endless possibilities to earn a living. Flexible working, remote contracts, freelance opportunities, fully digital businesses – the world is well and truly your oyster.
With this freedom comes an inevitable level of risk. Working from any location is a dream, but safety concerns could quickly turn it into a nightmare. That said, the right precautions should help you balance your work and wanderlust.
Protect Your Devices
Whether you’re working at a beach bar in Bali or in a cabin in the Scottish Highlands, your phone and laptop are the portal to your working world.
Device security is fundamental, so enable encryption if it’s not already. This feature protects all the data on your devices if they’re lost or stolen. Someone might get their hands on your phone or laptop, but they won’t be able to access your data without proper authentication. A secure PIN code, password, or biometric scanning restricts unauthorised access here, too.
Another simple yet critical step is to install software updates when they become available. Manufacturers release these to patch security flaws in operating systems, alongside other system improvements and tweaks. Enable auto-updates so you don’t have to remember to check.
And just a quick word on physical security: don’t leave your devices unattended in public. It’s always tempting if you’re working somewhere like a café or bar, but it’s not worth the risk.
Safeguard Your Accounts
Device security is one thing – account security is another. There are a few different ways to protect yours.
First, avoid reusing passwords across different platforms. If someone gets access to one, like your email account, they could gain access to all the rest. Generate strong and unique passwords for each account and keep tabs on them with a password manager.
Set up multi-factor authentication for your accounts, too. This security measure adds one or more steps to getting into your accounts beyond entering a password. You’ll have to get another code from an authenticator app or via text or email, but so will anyone else trying to gain access. It’s a little hassle, but a big security gain.
Use Secure Networks
No matter how safe your devices and accounts are, it means nothing if you’re connecting to the internet via a compromised Wi-Fi network. Private home networks are generally safe, so if you’re staying or living somewhere with your own connection, don’t stress.
The issue usually comes with public Wi-Fi networks – the ones you might connect to in places like cafés and airports. They’re unsecured, meaning they leave your digital data much more vulnerable to things like “Evil Twin” hotspots and “packet sniffing”.
If you do need to use a public network for your work, there’s an easy way to mitigate this risk. Virtual private networks (VPNs) shield your online activity, sending your data through an encrypted tunnel. Setting up with the fastest VPN service should give you a safe, reliable connection wherever you go. You’ll be able to work on all kinds of networks without the worry of many security threats.
Work Safely Wherever You Are
If you’ve got the opportunity to spread your wings and take work with you, use it. You never know what the world might have in store for you. Just make sure to take a serious stance on safety and security.