Never Do These 5 Things on a Work Computer

Never do these 5 things on a work computer: save personal passwords in the browser, store personal files, visit risky websites, let family or friends use it, or turn off company security apps like antivirus and backups. Each one puts company data, and your own, at risk. 

Here are several things you should never do on your work PC.

1. Don’t Save Your Personal Passwords in the Browser using a Work Computer

Many people manage their passwords by allowing their browser to save and then auto-fill them. This can be convenient, but it’s not very secure should you lose access to that PC.

When the computer you use isn’t yours, it can be taken away at any time. It can be taken away for a number of reasons, such as an upgrade, repair, or during an unexpected termination.

If someone else accesses that device and you never signed out of the browser, that means they can leverage your passwords to access your cloud accounts.

Not all older PCs are stored in a storeroom somewhere or destroyed. Some companies will donate them to worthy causes. As a matter a fact, it could leave your passwords in the hands of a stranger. If the PC hasn’t been wiped properly, your password may store on the PC.

2. Don’t Store Personal Data

It’s easy to get in the habit of storing personal data on your work computer, especially if your home PC doesn’t have a lot of storage space. But this is a bad habit and leaves you wide open to a couple of major problems:

• Loss of your files: If you lose access to the PC for any reason, your files can be lost forever.

• Your personal files being company-accessible: Many companies have backups of employee devices to protect against data loss. So, those beach photos stored on your work PC that you’d rather not have anyone else see could be accessible company-wide because they’re captured in a backup process.

3. Avoid Visiting Sketchy Websites on a Work Computer

You should assume that any activity you are doing on a work device is being monitored and is accessible by your boss. Companies often have cybersecurity measures in place like DNS filtering that is designed to protect against phishing websites.

This same type of software can also send an alert should an employee be frequenting a sketchy website deemed dangerous to security (which many sketchy websites are).

You should never visit any website on your work computer that you wouldn’t be comfortable visiting with your boss looking over your shoulder.

In a 2020 Malwarebytes survey, only 30% said they never used their work PC for personal tasks.

4. Prohibit Friends or Family to Use a Work Computer

When you work remotely and your work computer is a permanent fixture in your home, it can be tempting to allow a friend or family member to use it if asked. Often, work PCs are more powerful than a typical home computer and may even have company-supplied software that someone wouldn’t purchase on their own.

But allowing anyone else to use your work computer could constitute a compliance breach of data protection regulations that your company needs to adhere to.

Also, the personal data of customers and other employees will be accessible by someone not authorize for the info, So can mean a stiff penalty.

Additionally, a child or friend not well-versed in cybersecurity could end up visiting a phishing site and infecting your work device, which in turn infects your company cloud storage, leaving you responsible for a breach.

At least 20% of companies have experienced a data breach during the pandemic due to a remote worker.

5. Don’t Turn off Company-Installed Apps like Backups and Antivirus

If you’re trying to get work done and a backup kicks in and slows your PC down to a crawl, it can be tempting to turn off the backup process. But this can leave the data on your computer unprotected and unrecoverable in the case of a hard drive crash or ransomware infection.

Company-installed apps are there for a reason and it’s usually for cybersecurity and business continuity. Installed apps must turned off at all times if not permitted by supervisor or Company’s IT Team. Your company’s business antivirus and backups only work if they stay on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my work computer for personal things? 

Only if your company policy allows it. Avoid saving personal passwords or files and visiting risky websites. 

Why should I not let family use my work computer? 

They may install apps, click unsafe links, or see confidential data, putting the company at risk. 

Can I turn off antivirus if it slows my computer? 

No. Ask IT to fix the slowness instead. Turning off security apps leaves the computer exposed.

Need an IT health check? 

CloudConsole helps businesses secure work computers at the office and at home with 24/7 IT support. Get a free quote. Share our list of common IT advice with your team, and make these rules part of your IT policies.