Workers can experience a wide variety of network security threats and compromise the proper functioning of equipment. There are many risks when browsing the Internet and that in one way or another could compromise our security and privacy. However, in many cases it is employee errors that can affect even more. In this article we are going to talk about why social networks, messaging applications or the cloud can be a danger for employees .
The rise of remote work
We must start from the basis that in recent months remote work has gained a very important weight. This means that many users who previously performed their functions entirely in the company, in person, are now working from home, making use of personal devices on many occasions.
This can have its positive points, but also negative ones if we focus on network security . When using personal equipment for work, we can make mistakes that put privacy and security at risk.
However, it must be taken into account that the use of certain services and platforms may be a greater danger to our security. This is the case with social networks, instant messaging programs or even the cloud.
Services such as the cloud, RRSS or messaging can be a danger
These services are closely linked to companies . Nowadays it is very common to communicate with our clients or suppliers through instant messaging applications. Also social networks play a fundamental role. The cloud has also become an essential tool for teleworking.
But all this has its downside. We are going to detail each of these three services that we mentioned and see why it can be a threat to our security.
The danger of instant messaging for businesses
Surely on occasion we have used, or have had the opportunity to do so, this type of method to communicate with a company, with clients, with suppliers … As easy as using WhatsApp, for example, and receive the appropriate communications there.
However this comes with risks . We can receive files that supposedly correspond to an invoice from a provider, for example, but that are actually malicious software that is configured to attack.
We can also receive links that take us to pages controlled by attackers and that also compromise our security. For this reason, it is essential to observe who sends these links at all times and to know how to manage them. Many employees use this method of communication.
Social networks, a latent risk
Of course social networks are also part of the daily life of many employees, of many companies in short. They also serve to communicate with customers or suppliers, as well as to promote their products.
In social networks there are very varied risks . An example is the bots or false profiles that could flood our accounts with Spam, with malicious messages full of links to pages controlled by attackers. There’s even the risk of phishing.
Employees must be aware of the risk involved in using a company’s social media without paying attention to proper security measures. You can see an article with safety tips on social networks.
The cloud, a widely used service
Finally we have the cloud . As we have said, many employees use this type of service to work remotely. Everything related to the Covid-19 pandemic has brought important changes.
Keep in mind that the cloud is used to store information, data, upload documents so that others can modify them, etc. All this means that we need to maintain security at all times, use safe tools and not make mistakes.
It is an important point for employees to maintain common sense, use official tools and always avoid risks when using the cloud. In another article we give security tips in the cloud.