Here are eight things Techno 24Things to avoid on work equipment to protect personal and professional safety,

Log in to personal social networks

Checking your personal social media accounts like Facebook or Twitter on your work computer may seem harmless, but your use of those accounts could potentially fall into the hands of your employer.

Once you’re logged in, it’s easy to get bogged down in notifications and don’t have time to look around to see how your productivity might be dropping. Limit viewing of personal social networks on your phone or personal devices to avoid unnecessary distractions.

Saving passwords in the browser

Saving passwords in the browser can be useful but risky. Browsers generally do not offer the highest levels of security, leaving saved passwords vulnerable to hackers or anyone with physical access to your computer.

To better protect your credentials, use a dedicated password manager with encryption features. This ensures that your passwords are safe even if your device is hacked.

Storage of personal files

It may seem practical to keep your personal files on your work computer, but it’s not a good idea. Your employer may have access to these files, which could be exposed in the event of a security breach.

Additionally, keeping your personal files on your work computer can blur the lines between work and personal life, causing you to become distracted. Use cloud storage or an external drive to keep personal documents separate and safe.

Communication with friends and family

While it may be tempting to send quick messages to friends or family during work hours, using your work computer for personal chats can lead to privacy issues.

Companies frequently monitor internet usage, and personal communications on platforms like Gmail or WhatsApp may not be as private as you think. It is better to avoid mixing personal conversations with a work device and maintain professionalism.

Online Shopping

Surfing the web or shopping online during work hours may seem like a harmless interruption, but entering personal payment information into a work computer carries risks.

If your company is monitoring your web traffic or your device is compromised, your financial data could be exposed. Save your purchases on personal devices to protect your payment information.

Leave the computer on

If you leave your work computer unlocked, even for a short time, this gives others the opportunity to access sensitive information. It only takes a few minutes for someone to misuse your device or access private files.

To keep your computer safe, make it a habit to lock it every time you’re away.

Using public Wi-Fi

While public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, they are often not secure and your business data can fall into the hands of hackers. If you must work in a public place, such as a coffee shop or airport, use a VPN to protect your data and establish a secure connection.

To keep your corporate and personal information safe, avoid unprotected connections to public networks.

job search

It may seem obvious, but searching for a new job on your current employer’s computer is a bad idea. Employers can monitor web traffic, and there’s always a risk that someone might see job postings or applications left open on your screen. To maintain professionalism and avoid potential disruptions at work, search for jobs only on your personal devices.

By following these suggestions and clearly separating work and personal tasks, you can ensure the security of your work computer and protect your professional reputation.