Best practices for professionals using corporate computers – 24.08.2022

The last two years have been marked by digital transformation. As one of its main consequences, many companies have decided to adopt a hybrid work model. In this scenario, employees began to transport their electronic equipment more often and, of course, had to redouble the care of the devices. To help users along the way, Fabiano Takahashi, product manager at Positivo Tecnologia, has prepared a list of best practice tips that can avoid technical issues with corporate computers and ensure a good user experience even outside the office.

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1. Avoid open networks in public places and use strong passwords on home networks

Unknown and open networks of public places can be offered by hackers with the clear intention of capturing data traffic, thereby exposing critical information such as system keys and passwords. If you have your company notebook in a different environment, such as a coffee shop or airport, it is recommended that you only connect to known and secure networks of those establishments.

When creating a home network at home, however, the choice of password must also be well thought out, using a combination of capital letters, special characters and numbers – which makes access more secure.

“A password is like a key to a house door. If you leave it hanging in the lock, anyone who wants to can get in. Once inside, everything of value will be on display. Today, there is no shortage of technological frauds and it is important to avoid unnecessary exposure to danger,” warns Fabiano.

2. Transportation corporate computers with safety and protection

As portable as laptops are, carrying them up and down requires considerable care to keep them well, physically and functionally. A common mistake of users is to transport them without a protective cover or in bags and backpacks that do not have a suitable padded compartment.

corporate computers they tend to have more robust construction than those intended for home users, but drops and bumps can eventually damage the device. Other tips are: always keep equipment switched off to avoid overheating in stuffy places and activate encryption features for data stored locally on equipment to protect it in case of theft or loss.

“When a laptop is placed in standby bags or backpacks, it is possible for it to start working with an accidental key press during transport. Since there will be no ventilation, the equipment could overheat. Another advantage of keeping the equipment always turned off is that when it initializes it will ask for a password to access the data, which is extremely important if it is stolen, for example,” explains Fabiano.

3. Keep system applications up to date

The IT area of ​​the company is responsible for ensuring the implementation of critical updates, but it is also up to the user to prioritize their applications and not delay planning this task. “Vulnerabilities, once discovered, require time to develop and apply appropriate fixes. Delaying your login can make the user an easy target for hacker attacks,” points out the product manager at Positivo Tecnologia.

4. Do not click on suspicious links and do not install unknown applications

You must be very careful before opening the link. The golden tip is to never install or run content (programs, videos, files) of unknown origin. In addition to containing viruses, they can be gateways for hackers to attack the system. It is recommended that you install only applications that have been tested and approved by the company’s IT team, thereby avoiding not only attacks, but also incompatibility issues that can result in crashes, slow application performance, and other user inconveniences.

“Just by clicking on a link or opening an infected file, the malicious code takes control of the equipment, compromises your data or even spreads to other devices on the networks. Before clicking, stop, think and analyze the origin of the content. This simple attitude can avoid many headaches,” says Fabiano.

5. Back up important files and data

It is always advisable to keep copies of important files in the cloud or on external devices because equipment can fail, and such backups are a lifesaver in many cases. However, this must be well coordinated with the company as some files are confidential and must not leave the company’s digital environment.

“With constant transport from corporate computers, the risk of failure increases, and companies must organize themselves so that they are not held hostage by data that is stored only in the equipment’s memory. Users can combine ways to save these documents in more secure environments. And it’s always important to remember to activate encryption to protect access to the device with a password,” emphasizes the expert.

6. Physical and digital cleaning care

Digital cleaning should be carried out periodically and with a certain frequency. Protection tools usually execute processes in real time and, in this case, the company’s IT should be responsible for planning daily scans according to the strategy and needs of the users.

For physical cleaning, the recommendations are similar to those for personal computer care. “Do not use rough cloths and never use chemical products that can affect the paintwork of the equipment. In terms of usage, the most important thing is not to block the air vents to avoid damage from overheating. Also, food and drink are the enemies of fat and liquid machines. Therefore, it is better to avoid eating while working,” explains Fabiano.

7. The computer is corporate

Finally, the product manager of Positivo Tecnologia also warns corporate computers they are work tools and assets of the company itself, and their use must be reserved for professional activities. Therefore, common sense is recommended when storing personal information such as family photos and videos, accessing personal email accounts, social networks or bank accounts through the device. Some information may be stored in the system and endanger user and company data.

“In the event that the equipment has to be returned to the company for any reason, private information may be exposed to third parties, including sensitive information. Better to avoid it whenever possible.”

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