How do I design a secure home office?

On this page you can find some information on how to design a secure home office especially in times of Corona.

A secure workplace protects not only you, but also your colleagues, the students and the digital infrastructure of the university itself.

Secure passwords

Guidelines for secure passwords can be found on our websites at https://www.rz.uni-kiel.de/de/ueber-uns/dokumente
Never use official passwords for external offers.
You can find out how to change your passwords at https://www.rz.uni-kiel.de/en/our-portfolio/identity-and-account-management/cim-service-portal

Use an encrypted and password protected WLAN when working over it. Instructions for this can usually be found in the packaging of your router or on the website of your Internet service provider.
For example, choose a WPA2 encryption and password according to our guidelines (see above).

If you are using a work computer, please keep the installed Sophos Antivirus software up-to-date.
As a member of the university, you may also use Sophos Antivirus on your private devices. Further information is available at https://www.rz.uni-kiel.de/de/angebote/software/antivirus-software

Make sure that your firewall is active. Do not deactivate it if your firewall blocks, for example, FortiClient, but add an exception.

Make sure that your system and security software are up-to-date. Regular updates help to keep your workplace secure.

Make backups of relevant data!
If you store them on a local external medium (USB stick, external hard disk), connect this medium only for the purpose of backup creation or use.
Encrypt mobile external data carriers (USB sticks)

Be careful when handling received mails!
Do not open attachments from emails from unknown senders or from senders from whom you do not expect the corresponding mail.
Never click on links from emails from the above-mentioned senders. If necessary, check whether the link links to the address displayed.
Example: https://www.google.de and https://www.google.de link to two different pages. In most browsers, the bottom left corner shows where a link leads to when you move the mouse over it.
Always delete emails that arouse your suspicion.
Emails in which personal data, passwords, etc. are requested to be entered on a linked website are highly questionable.
Phishing is also possible via SMS, social media or other messengers, be careful!
Never send your password via email!

Please contact the RZ-Helpdesk in case of anomalies https://www.rz.uni-kiel.de/en/hotline

Do the same if you believe you have become a victim of phishing and your university identification could be compromised!