How to Protect Your Data While Traveling

Among the many benefits, NuLaw offers your law firm are those that come with being a cloud-based application. For example, NuLaw gives you access to your data from virtually anywhere. As long as you have an internet connection and a device to get online, you can get work done. However, you need to do so safely.

Every internet user owes it to him or herself to protect precious data while traveling. As an attorney, however, you have an extra responsibility to your clients. You are obligated, both professionally and legally, to ensure that all the information you have pertaining to client accounts and cases remains private. You have to protect that data at all times.

Below are some suggestions for?improving data security?while traveling. They are based on the assumption that you will not be using your smartphone to do a lot of work in the airport or at your hotel. It assumes you will be using a laptop computer.

TURN OFF FILE SHARING

Right off the top, go into your computer’s network settings and turn off file sharing. Having file sharing activated makes transferring files to various devices around the office a breeze, but it also leaves your laptop vulnerable outside of the office. Turning file sharing off makes it harder for hackers to steal data from your laptop.

ENCRYPT YOUR HOME FOLDER

The next tip is to encrypt the home folder on your computer. The home folder is the folder that pertains to your individual identity. It contains all your documents, pictures, program files, etc. Encrypting it prevents hackers from easily stealing information from it.

Your Mac or Linux home folder should have the same name you use to log on to your computer. If you are running a Windows system, there is no home folder per se. Instead, you will have to encrypt all the appropriate folders individually. That means encrypting your documents folder, any program folders that might contain information about your clients, and any shared folders you use for in-office file sharing.

USE A VPN SERVICE

A virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent tool for fighting hackers. When you access the internet through a VPN, you are connecting your computer directly to a secure server. From there, you are able to access the internet by using the VPN as a launching point.

VPNs protect privacy in two ways. First, they hide your true IP address while broadcasting a fictional address. Second, they encrypt data in both directions. The combination of these two features makes life very difficult for hackers. A good hacker can still break in, but it takes a lot of work. There are easier targets for them to spend their time on.

RUN YOUR ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

Before you log on to any public network, you should run your antivirus software. Do a complete scan that looks for everything: viruses, trojans, malware, etc. Repeat the scan before you shut down your computer to end the session. The goal here is to catch any suspicious software before it has time to do any damage. Also note that in order for your antivirus software to be effective, it has to be kept up to date.

These are just a few suggestions for keeping your data secure when traveling. Remember that while NuLaw is a?secure legal case management application?hosted in the cloud, it cannot do anything to prevent hackers from targeting your system over a public network. You have to take the necessary steps to prevent that yourself. Never forget you have an ethical and legal obligation to do so.