For freelancers, many of the guidelines in the Freelancer’s Guide to Cybersecurity Checklist don’t require the purchase of much, if anything. But some areas, like encryption, could use a little attention, and other areas might need an upgrade for you to fully secure your devices. Never fear, we are budget conscious here at DCC, and here are some of our favorite things.
The Cybersecurity Basics
Cybersecurity doesn’t need to be complex or expensive, and privacy is the best place to start. Opt for a browser and search engine combination that will not track you on the internet or sell your data to third parties by pairing the Mozilla Firefox browser with the DuckDuckGo search engine, for example.
Encrypt your email and your data in transit with ProtonMail and Proton Virtual Private Network for high-level privacy and anonymity.
Charge Safely
Don’t plug your phone into random public (possibly compromised) charging strips and kiosks. The same cord that charges your phone also transfers your data. When I travel, I charge my mobile devices without any risk of hacking/uploading viruses with the widely available universal Porta Pow Data Blocker.
Monitor the Dark Web
Breaches will happen. When prevention measures fail and your data is involved in a breach, you want to be alerted. You can manually check Have I Been Pwned, or you can have Mozilla Firefox Monitor alert you when your information surfaces in a breach.
For more information on breaches and how to address them, read Have You Been Pwned? Probably Yes, So Here’s What You Do.
Safe Storage
Store your files safely to protect your (and your clients’!) IP. Use cloud storage services that provide strong encryption, such as Proton Drive, Sync.com, or pCloud. Note that these are storage (not sharing) options.
Privacy
Alexa and Siri are nosy, recording you in your home. Your other devices (laptops, mobile phones) may be no more secure, so be aware of your camera and microphone settings.
Antivirus Software
Not optional and generally not expensive. Don’t skimp—be sure to protect not only your PC, but also your Mac and mobile. For an overview of antivirus software to find what’s best for you in CNET’s “The Best Antivirus Software for 2024.”
Protect Your Passwords
You’ve spent time creating unique, safe passwords, now protect them by using a password manager. There are many to choose from, and I use Bitwarden, one of Wirecutter’s selections.
External Storage
Big desktop hard drives or small portable SSDs you can pop in your pocket—as long as it has enough storage to hold all your stuff and you can password-protect and encrypt it, the best external storage choice is the one you will actually use.
More Information on Select Topics
Other topics we touched on in our webinar may be of interest to freelancers who handle some of their more advanced IT and deal directly with hosting services.
Updated 08 October 2024.