Why you should avoid using work laptops for personal tasks
What's the story
A recent study by ESET has revealed that a staggering 90% of employees use their company-issued laptops for personal activities, potentially exposing them to significant cybersecurity risks. The research also found that a large number of these employees engage in high-risk activities on their business hardware. These activities include gambling, viewing adult content, accessing the dark web, and illegally streaming sports events.
Security strain
Hybrid work model amplifies challenges
The shift to a hybrid and remote work model has increased the pressure on security teams. ESET suggests that companies should implement more robust security measures to manage corporate devices remotely, while also educating their employees about potential risks. The survey found that 63% of respondents accessed the dark web on their work laptops weekly, with 17% doing so daily.
Risk factors
Younger workforce more prone to risks
The study further revealed that males were primarily responsible for accessing the dark web. Younger employees aged between 16 and 24 were found to be more likely to connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, and use personal USB devices on their work laptops. Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, emphasized the need for better cybersecurity processes in companies, especially considering these findings.
Privacy issues
Privacy concerns and lack of cybersecurity measures
Despite the evident risks of personal use on work laptops, one in three (36%) employees would view their boss monitoring their personal activity as an invasion of privacy. The study also found that around one in five (18%) do not have any cybersecurity software installed on their work devices. An additional 7% were unsure about whether their device was adequately protected or not.