Business Cyber Security Starts at Home

It's a matter (lack) of trust!

For many of us, family is everything - we implicitly trust them with almost everything.  But do you REALLY know who has been using that laptop, USB thumb drive, mobile phone, or games console?

Our dependence on our home networks to access the Internet has accelerated exponentially - especially during COVID. Our homes are now multi-faceted digital hubs, catering to demands such as remote work, online education, entertainment streaming, and smart home devices. Unfortunately, with the rising reliance on these technologies comes an amplified vulnerability to cyber attacks.

Home networks - the new breeding ground for Cyber attacks

Home networks are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks for several reasons:

1. Lack of Awareness: Whilst Cyber Awareness Training is now available in some large corporate's, these lessons are rarely available to casual users, nor are they explicitly taught within our educational institutions. Hence, most home environments will have at least some users who engage in risky online behaviour without realising it or the potential consequences.

2. Weak (and Shared) Passwords: Weak and guessable passwords - often shared between family members and used across multiple services for convenience - are commonplace in many home networks. These are low-hanging fruit for Cyber attackers and present easy data and Identity theft targets.

3. Simple Deployments: We trust each other, so why can’t we have a single WiFi network with everything connected?  Yep, this is fine until you realise that every friend that came to last weekend's sleepover now has the WiFi password and can access your network ANYTIME they like!

4. Unsecured Devices: As smart devices thrive, their inadequate security measures become entry points for cybercriminals.  Combine this with a "simple" deployment, and you are at risk of providing the equivalent of an open door to the cybercriminal.

5. Outdated and unpatched Software: Not updating devices and software leaves vulnerabilities open to exploitation! 

6. Phishing Attacks: Family members can fall prey to phishing scams, unknowingly divulging sensitive information to malicious actors.

For many businesses, Cyber protection has traditionally been limited to “just” the company resources, in-office networks, and VPN for mobile workers - with the proliferation of Work From Home (WFH) requirements, this is no longer sufficient - company laptops are just as likely to fall prey to an attack on your home network as they are on WiFi in the airport lounge or local cafe hotspot! In most cases, home networks should be treated as a “hostile” environment, with any corporate device connected to it subject to Zero-Trust restrictions.

Basic Home Network Protection

Taking the following steps can significantly improve the security of your home network:

1. Create Strong Passwords: Ensure all devices and online accounts have strong, unique passwords. Use a password manager to keep track of them securely.

2. Don’t Share Passwords: Password information stolen from one device can be used to access another when passwords are shared.

3. Update Software Regularly: Set devices and software to auto-update. Updates often include security patches that guard against known vulnerabilities.

4. Secure WiFi Network: Change the network name (SSID), set a strong WiFi password using WPA3 or WPA2 encryption, and either DON'T share it or CHANGE it regularly

5. Enable Firewalls: Enable built-in firewalls on your routers and devices to monitor and control network traffic.

6. Educate Family Members: Teach your family about cyber threats, safe online practices, and how to identify potential phishing attempts.

Advanced Home Network Protection

To elevate the security of your home network, contemplate implementing the following measures.

1. Virtual Private Network (VPN): Set up a VPN to encrypt online traffic and protect your family's activities from prying eyes, especially on public WiFi.

2. Network Segmentation: Segment devices into separate virtual networks to reduce damage from compromised machines.

3. Enhanced Firewall Controls: Enable outbound firewall controls to ONLY allow traffic from known devices and known applications to exit your network

4. Parental Controls: Use parental control solutions to safeguard children from harmful content and prevent accidental, malicious software downloads.

5. Cybersecurity Software: Invest in reliable antivirus and anti-malware software for added protection against known and emerging threats.

6. Regular Backups: Up essential data to an external drive or cloud storage. If hit by ransomware, restore your data without paying a ransom.

Trusting your family with cyber security is a collective responsibility. Home networks are vulnerable to cyber attacks, but taking proactive steps can reduce risks. Implement essential home network protection and advance with cutting-edge security measures for better security.

At Microsolve, we make IT easier by creating solutions that deliver on that goal. Our managed networking solutions can assist you immensely.