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SECURITY
More adn more commuters are using travel time for work. But is it safe? Here’s how to protect your data while working remotely.
Mobile work is becoming increasingly popular. (Source: Karolina Grabowska on Pixabay)
Commuting time was once unproductive, but now it’s prime mobile workspace for manny. A recent survey by NordVPN indicated that 57 percent of Germans access the internet during their commute, with a quarter spending up to an hour daily online. Whether on trains, buses, or while waiting, people are working everywhere, often via smartphones. It’s not surprising that 73 percent of commuters heavily use mobile devices for messaging, social media, or podcasts. Simultaneously, 89 percent are concerned about data security. This concern is justified; working on the go can expose you to hackers and data thieves if precautions aren’t taken.Here are some essential tips to stay safe.
The majority of commuters worldwide – 8 out of 10 – use a device while commuting. Most read news. (Source: NordVPN)
Tip 1: Be cautious with public hotspots
While 57 percent of Germans connect to the internet during their commute, and a quarter do so for up to an hour, many use public wi-Fi. Open WLANs, such as those in train stations or cafes, are convenient but risky. Unlike your home network, you’re not alone. A hacker can intercept or manipulate your data traffic with minimal effort once they join the same WLAN.
A common tactic involves attackers creating WLANs with innocent-sounding names.If you connect, all your data traffic passes through their router, including access credentials and sensitive information. Names like “db_free_wifi_” or “Bahnhofs Café” might seem trustworthy but aren’t necessarily safe. Even a login page with a password doesn’t guarantee security.
To stay secure, use your mobile data connection and create a personal hotspot with your smartphone. Better yet, use a VPN service, which encrypts and anonymizes all data traffic. Setup is simple, often requiring just one click. Recommended VPN providers include ExpressVPN, CBORGHOST and NordVPN.
