Tips for Protecting Your Privacy at Work

Digital privacy is one of the biggest security issues of our time. In 2021, several coordinated cyberattacks showed Americans the vulnerability of its largest companies. Your data can be compromised through your employer’s network. Some employers even take advantage of their network to monitor employees’ messages. Follow these tips for protecting your privacy at work, and speak with a California employment lawyer about any specific concerns.  

Do not log on to your employer’s WiFi unless necessary.

Using WiFi can make you vulnerable to a cyberattack. Many networks have no password or are secured by a simple password that is easy to guess. You have no way of knowing just how secure your employer’s WiFi network actually is. You also do not know how much information your employer has about the websites you visit while you are logged on to the company’s WiFi. Remember, even using privacy settings or an “incognito mode” does not prevent the WiFi owner from accessing information about your internet activity. 

Do not sign in to personal accounts on your work devices.

There are many ways that your personal data can be compromised when you sign in to personal accounts at work. If you forget to log out, anyone could access the account after you leave your computer. Even if you do log out, hackers could access your account with a keystroke log or other techniques. You do not know if your employer’s network is secure enough to prevent these acts from happening. Avoid the temptation to log in to personal email accounts, social media channels, or websites on your work computer. If you must access these sites while at work, use your own phone or device. Be sure to check the privacy and security settings on all your devices regularly.

Do not use the same passwords for personal and work accounts.

The more often you use a password, the less secure it becomes. Even adding a simple letter or number can help strengthen your password. You can use variations of the same password to help you remember different passwords while still having a different password for different devices. Check online or ask your IT department for advice about creating secure passwords. It may be best to use a random password generator and password management software to save and “store” your passwords.

Be sure your screens lock when you are not using them.

It does not take long for your data to be compromised once someone else has access to your computer. For this reason, it is important to be sure that your work computer times out on a lock screen within a relatively short time after you step away from it. Lock screens are a good idea on all your devices. Check your cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches to be sure that they time out, as well. 

Data privacy in the workplace can be a big problem for employees. The experienced San Francisco employment lawyers at Olivier & Schreiber LLP can help you protect your legal rights regarding data privacy in the workplace. Call (415) 484-0980 or visit our website to schedule your consultation today.