Home Router & Switch Security:Please ensure that your Home Router and any Network Switches and/or Similar Connected Devices like IoT solutions including Smart Thermostats, Video Doorbells, Cameras, etc that you use at Home have the latest official vendor released updates installed and that default password(s) is(are) changed and known only to you. Typically patch updates are easily addressed by going to the administration page(s) of your device and checking the main page for notifications of vendor updates. Most solutions give you the ability to update right from the administration page! Passwords can be updated through the same administration interface. Contact your equipment vendor(s) if required to get assistance with your device or visit their official website to access their documentation.
Relaxed Data Volume Caps:
Many Internet Service Providers have temporally expanded or eliminated data caps so you should not incur additional charges from increased usage due to working from home. Please check with your Internet Service Provider for details.
Watch out for Short URLs: While convenient, short URLs are often used for nefarious shenanigans. You can use a short URL expander to be certain the link provided in a shortened URL goes to the site that you actually wish to visit. URL expanders are available at Urlex (https://urlex.org/) and ExpandURL (https://www.expandurl.net/).
Lock Screens: Continue to lock your screen(s) whenever you move away from your computer(s).
Avoid or Carefully Limit / Supervise Work Computer Usage by Others:
Whenever possible, please do not allow other people including friends or family members to use your work computer. If the need is critical and you must allow others to use your work computer, be sure to logout of work systems first.
Use VPN or other Secure Access: Use VPN and sites secured with https.
Beware of Digital Certificate Error Messages:
If you visit a site and receive a Certificate Warning Message, ensure that you have entered the name correctly and be certain the site your are visiting is the site intended to help counter cybersquatting and/or Man-in-the-Middle Attacks.
Patching:
Ensure that your Home / Remote Location computer(s) are running the latest security updates / patches. OS patching is the most obvious, but application patching including browser updates are also critical to reduce risk.
Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware:
Please be certain Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware are running & updating.
Avoid Free / Open WiFi:
Whenever possible Do Not Use Free / Open WiFi for connectivity. If you must utilize it, ensure that you use VPN, https or similar encrypted connectivity to reduce risk.
Keep Work Data on centralized Work Systems: Please minimize work data, code, contracts, documentation, etc stored on systems in your Home or Remote Location computer(s) and/or removable media like USBs. Instead use your corporate operated file shares, repositories, etc as these solutions are typically located in Data Centers protected by Rigid Physical Security, NextGen Firewalls, Intrusion Defense, Anomaly Detection, Logging, Security Event Management, etc.
Lost or Stolen Assets:
If the need arises, please be sure to alert your company if you suffer a lost or stolen device or see other signs of potentially compromised asset(s).
Beware Phishing, Suspect Emails & Malware: Beware of phake emails appearing to come from your CEO, CSO, CFO, your HR Department, your IT Department, etc.
The typical indicators of phishing emails are:
• Sender’s Name Does Not Match Sender’s Email Address.
• Urgent Action or Reply Required.
• Demands to purchase gift cards.
• Notifications that you must apply via a link or call a provided dial-in number to get emergency benefits.
• Pandemic, disaster or similar ‘virus tracking applications’ (which may contain password theft routines or other malware) or related items.
• Solicitations for money in the form of Bitcoin, Money Orders, Wire Transfers, etc.
• Your password / account is being / has been shut down for a myriad of false reasons.
• A new or updated resource (virtual machine, service, site, application, etc) is now ready for your use.
• Threats to release negative albeit false information about you unless Bitcoin or similar payment is sent.
• Requests for Tax Forms, Insurance Information or similar sensitive data with W2 Form requests being most common.
• Other Vague / Unusual Requests like Managers or Executives asking you for your cell/mobile number.
• Atypical Formatting, Diction, Grammar, Style, etc.
It may be difficult to see the Sender’s address on mobile devices.
Also, fake CallerID is being used for fooling folks. CallerID is trivial to fake so please do not rely on CallerID to authenticate callers. In many instances, the CallerIDs being phaked are spoofing actual telephone numbers. If you call the number back, you get somebody that may have no idea that their number is being used so please do not return calls to unknown or suspicious looking telephone numbers.
Keep in mind that text/sms messages are being phaked too.
