With everything going digital, more people are ditching the workplace and heading home (or anywhere else) to get things done. Now, working remotely is the norm for half of the U.S. population. Whether you’re working for a big company or starting your own business, your internet will be a huge part of having a successful work-from-home experience. Before you get started, here are some internet tips to keep in mind when working from home. 

 

Understand how much speed you need

Don’t play the guessing game when it comes to this; your productivity depends on it. You might think you could pass for a lower speed package, but if you think about the video calling, project management systems, and other software and devices needed, the bandwidth required adds up.

If you find that your internet is lagging, your best bet will always be fiber internet to keep up with your work. That way you won’t have to worry about files taking forever to download or freezing video conference calls. 

 

Invest in cloud computing

More and more, professionals are realizing that cloud computing makes file management a lot simpler than a physical hard drive. Even if it’s just you, saving your information to a cloud could save you a lot of time and money and help avoid losing important documents. The “cloud” is everywhere; you can usually access it from any computer depending on what software you use. Some options are even free, such as using Google Drive instead of Microsoft Office. 

 

Have strong malware protection

Just imagine working one day, then all of a sudden you have a virus. Boom. Everything gone. Don’t be that person who thinks, “oh, it couldn’t happen to me.” Having strong malware protection on your computer is key to success when working remotely. There are tons of antivirus software out there, so be sure to do your research on which one works best for you. 

 

Connect to a Virtual Private Network 

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is especially important if you’re working on the go. Yes, coffee shops and libraries can be great places to work, but using public Wi-Fi isn’t the best choice. Public Wi-Fi is easy to access by everyone, and that means cyber criminals and thieves could too. 

That’s where VPNs come in. A lot of companies require you to be connected to their VPN when you work away from the office. Basically, it’s a secure way to browse the internet without worrying about unwanted outsiders. If you don’t have access to one, that’s not a problem. VPNs aren’t just for businesses; you can buy your own.