Work from Home Tips: Staying Safe Online

With social distancing in place, you’re probably spending more time online. Technology helps us work remotely and stay connected with our loved ones. It’s also a tool that cybercriminals use to steal information, which is why it’s important to stay vigilant when it comes to online safety. Here are some tips.

Strengthen Your Password

Your password is valuable – it protects your identity and personal information. Your Carilion password also protects our organization’s information (including patient information). That’s why cybercriminals will go to great lengths to find out your password.

One thing you can do is make sure your password isn’t easy to guess. You have probably heard that you shouldn’t use your birthday or the word “password” as your password. Here are some additional tips:

Longer passwords are better, and they don’t need to be complicated. Consider a phrase of words that’s meaningful to you. Example: “Carvin’s Cove is beautiful!”
Consider putting a special character in the beginning or middle of the password, not at the end. Example: “Carvin’s Cove = beautiful.”
Avoid using the word “Carilion” in your Carilion password, and avoid using the names of months, years or seasons.
Avoid repeating numbers or letters.
Don’t use your Carilion password for other websites.

Report Suspicious Emails

You receive an email from someone at Carilion, but the email was sent from their personal email account and contains a few misspellings. Does this seem phishy? Hackers will look for sneaky ways to get you to tell them your password. It’s easier to ask for a password than to guess it, which is why cyberattacks are often disguised as emails or requests from people or businesses you know.

If an email seems suspicious, report it! Click the “Report Phish” button in Outlook. Our information security team will check it out.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is a way to verify your identity when you are using your AD account to access Carilion applications outside the office.

At Carilion, we use the Imprivata ID app for multi-factor authentication. If you haven’t already signed up, do it now. All you need is your Apple or Android smartphone and a web browser. Visit https://apps.carilionclinic.org, log in with your AD user name and password, and follow the prompts to get enrolled. If you do not have a smartphone to download the app, you can use SMS text.

Beginning May 18, we will no longer offer the option to defer your Imprivata ID enrollment when you access the Carilion network outside of work.

More information and job aids are available on the TSG hub on Inside Carilion.

Be Careful About Clicks

That online quiz might be fun, but is it worth the privacy risk? Cyberattacks often begin with links on legitimate but vulnerable websites, such as Facebook. If you are surfing the web, be cautious!

Before you click on a link, hover over it with your cursor to see the URL, and check to see if it matches the website or content you are trying to access.
Don’t click on ads or pop-up boxes.
Make sure you are accessing secure websites. A secure website will have a URL that begins with https:// and a padlock symbol.

For More Information

If you have questions about using technology, contact the Technology Service Center via Edison at edison.CarilionClinic.org or by phone at 540-224-1599 (71599).

Visit the Remote Worker Resources hub from Education & Organizational Development and TSG for additional information about working remotely.