Remote Access – IT Security

Keep HM Information Safe on Your Personal Devices

If you have any work information on your personal devices, hackers may use your device as a pathway to Houston Methodist patient and business information.

If you’re using your personal laptop while working remotely, remember to avoid saving any HM information on your C-drive, desktop or other areas of your personal device.

Instead, make sure you’re working in Access (access.houstonmethodist.org ), and save all work to My Computer. This securely stores the information within our organization.

HIPAA-safe

You shouldn’t print HM documents from your personal device to your personal printer. This protects HIPAA information from being seen by those unauthorized to view it.

Computer updates

Make sure to turn on auto update on your computer so software automatically keeps curren

Making your computer safer

Turn on Windows Defender anti-virus, included with Microsoft Windows.
Turn on Windows BitLocker. This encrypts your computer’s data so no one can see anything if your device is lost or stolen.
Install OpenDNS Home. It’s free and protects your home internet from phishing attacks and more.

Think before you click

Never click on a link in an email that does not come from a trustworthy and known source.
Instead, type the link in your browser’s address bar or use a bookmark you’ve set earlier .

Watch out for suspicious emails

Phishing is a way of stealing usernames, passwords or other personal information.
These emails may say something like, “Your account was compromised,” and tell you to change your password.
Click the Report Suspicious button in Outlook or in the header of all external emails, if you think an email may be a scam.

Use only secure Wi-Fi

Unsecured Wi-Fi poses a security risk.
Your device usually picks up the strongest signal – which can be a rogue WiFi that’s actually an attacker waiting to monitor, intercept or even alter communications from your device.

Bluetooth: Turn it off when you’re not using it

Hackers can use Bluetooth to spread viruses, allowing hackers to access HM information that may be on your device.

Don’t download apps that ask to access your device’s data, unless you’re sure it’s a reliable source.

Mobile apps can contain a surprising lack of built-in security. When an app asks to access your device’s data, just say no.
Free apps present a real issue, especially ones offering in-app purchasing and downloads. A growing amount of malicious software is embedded in these downloads, allowing hackers to access your device’s data.

Do these three things to keep us safe

Use HM email, because it has several layers of security.
Don’t open attachments from your Gmail, Yahoo mail or other non-HM email when using your work computer.
Click the Report Suspicious button in Outlook or in the header of all external emails, if you think an email may be a scam.

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