MHA issues cyber security tips on ‘work from home’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 11

The Centre on Saturday issued a detailed set of cyber security guidelines for people, who are working from home in view of nationwide lockdown to contain spread of deadly coronavirus, as it suggested them to be careful of phishing e-mails, which may be disguised as similar to their superiors’ mail-ids.

Asking the employees at large involving both in the government and private sector, who are on work from home mode to “strictly adhere to the guidelines” issued by their respective employers, the MHA suggested that all should “change the default passwords and keep strong password for all devices and online accounts”.

In the guidelines the MHA also asked for using computers/laptops provided by employer companies/organisations and avoid as much as possible using personal systems. “Do not use same devices for work and leisure activities,” it said.

It is also suggested that users should ensure to keep their online devices in the disabled mode “until and unless required” and they should be used with proper security features including secured network for accessing office system.

“Don’t share meeting links publicly or via social media platforms and use only trusted apps and operating systems approved by employers for video conferencing and collaborative works,” it said.

The MHA also asked employees to avoid open/free Wi-Fi network and suggested that it would be safer if default password for the admin and Wi-Fi network.