Security a concern for telecommuters

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 15, 2002

As employers offer telecommuting options to employees, new risks are introduced into the work environment.

• Protect yourself from computer hackers. The best solution today is an Internet router with hardware-based firewall protection. Unlike software firewalls, the router’s firewall keeps the computer’s Internet address hidden, making the network connection invisible to a hacker.

• Beware of power surges. Temporary power surges can damage equipment and cause computer programs to lock up and become corrupted. The first line of defense is a power strip. Another option is to install surge-protected wall receptacles.

• Blackouts and brownouts can also damage home office equipment and cause the loss of important data. To prevent this purchase an uninterruptible power supply.

Not only does a UPS device allow time for an orderly shutdown of a computer when the power goes out, it also regulates the flow of electricity, smoothing out the current before it goes to equipment. Some UPS devices also incorporate surge protection.

• Avoid overloaded circuits. Surge protectors and UPS devices protect equipment, they do not protect the telecommuter from the potential hazard of an overloaded wall receptacle.

If too much equipment is plugged into the same outlet more current may be running through the outlet than it can handle.

There are several telltale signs of overloading an outlet – an outlet which is warm to the touch, an outlet which is discolored, circuit breakers which frequency trip or fuses which frequently blow, a noticeable smell of burned insulation, an extension cord which is warm to the touch.

To prevent these electrical hazards in the home office, the Leviton Institute recommends calling an electrician to install a dedicated circuit to the home office. And while the electrician is there, consider installing additional outlets in the home office to eliminate the use of extension cords.