We know that working from home is different – perhaps overwhelming – as you adjust to your new environment. One of our goals is to enable you to work as securely as possible from home. Below are some simple, effective steps to working securely. The best part is all of these steps not only help secure your work, but they will make you and your family far safer as you create a cyber secure home.
Protect Your Home
You face many of the same online risks at home as you do at work. This short video provides an overview on how to protect yourself at home, with more guidance provided through the other links on this page.
Video tips on how to protect yourself at home
- Creating a Cyber Secure Home (English – 3m28s)
- Créer un environnement cybersécurisé à la maison (Français – 3m28s)
- Other languages
University of Toronto Reminders and Tips
Protect Your Network
Almost every home network starts with a wireless (often called Wi-Fi) network. This means securing your wireless network is a key part of protecting your home.
Learn more:
- Protect your network and home
- Set up CIRA Canadian Shield to protect your home from malicious websites
Protect Yourself
First and foremost, technology alone cannot fully protect you – you are the best defence. Attackers have learned that the easiest way to get what they want is to target you, rather than your computer or other devices. If they want your password, work data or control of your computer, they’ll attempt to trick you into giving it to them, often by creating a sense of urgency.
Learn more:
Protect Your Passwords
When a site asks you to create a password: create a strong password, the more characters it has, the stronger it is. Enable two-step verification (also called two-factor or multi-factor authentication) whenever possible. It uses your password, but also adds a second step, such as a code sent to your smartphone or an app that generates the code for you. Two-step verification is probably the most important step you can take to protect your online accounts and it’s much easier than you may think.
Learn more:
Keep ALL Your Devices Up To Date
Make sure your wireless router, computers, mobile devices, programs and apps are running the latest version of its software. To stay current, simply enable automatic updating whenever possible. This rule applies to almost any technology connected to a network, including not only your work devices but internet-connected TVs, baby monitors, security cameras, home routers, gaming consoles or even your car. By ensuring your computers and mobile devices install these updates promptly, you make it much harder for someone to hack you.
Learn more:
Limit Access To Devices Used For Work
Something you may not have to worry about at the office is children, guests or other family members using your work laptop or other work devices. Make sure family and friends understand they cannot use your work devices, as they can accidentally erase or modify information, or, perhaps even worse, accidentally infect the device.
Useful Sites
The following is a list of useful cyber security sites| DATE | Internal/External | Sites |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-30 | Internal | U of T ITS IT Preparedness |
| 2020-03-30 | Internal | Special Advisory on COVID-19 Phishing, Mar 19, 2020 |
| 2020-03-30 | Internal | CTSI Resources for Instructors |
| 2020-03-26 | External | Canadian government guidance |
| 2020-03-26 | External | UK government training |
| 2020-03-26 | External | SANS Security Awareness blog |
| 2020-03-26 | External | General guidance (cygenta.co.uk) |