The National Security Agency (NSA) has published a guide to help remote workers secure their home networks and protect their devices from attacks.
The guidance, issued by the US Department of Defense Intelligence, contains a long list of recommendations, including: A short list of items that urge remote workers to ensure their hardware and software are up to date.
It is also recommended that remote workers back up data regularly to avoid data loss and disconnect idle machines when a continuous Internet connection is not required.
Additionally, when a device is infected, frequent reboots are required to remove non-permanent malware, or reboots are scheduled to further reduce this risk.
The NSA said, "You should schedule at least a weekly reboot of routers, smartphones, and computers." Regular restarts will help kill the bots and protect you. "
Other best practices include using an unprivileged user account on your computer, turning on automatic updates when possible, covering your webcam, and muting your microphone when not in use. Do not use to prevent eavesdropping by hacked devices or malware.
The NSA also recommends using a personal router that can always be updated, rather than a standard modem or router from your ISP, which may not receive regular security updates.
The NSA explains, "Your router is the gateway to your home network." Without proper security and patches, it is more vulnerable to compromises that can also threaten other network devices. "To reduce vulnerabilities and increase security, your home network routers should be updated with the latest patches, preferably through automatic updates," she added.
Routers should also be replaced after or before their end-of-life dates to ensure that they continue to receive security patches to address newly discovered vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to try to compromise the network.
Previously, the NSA also made recommendations for securing wireless devices, audio or video communications, and IPsec virtual private networks and reducing location risks.
