Digital Hygiene and Security Tips for Remote Workers: A Guide for Digital Nomads

In 2025, you no longer need to be confined to a single geographical location or deal with a daily commute in order to earn a living. With the popularization of remote and hybrid work models, the digital nomad lifestyle is also on the rise, with more professionals swapping their desks for anywhere they lay their hat. 

While digital nomadism is an incredibly attractive lifestyle, it doesn’t come without risks. When working abroad, it’s vital to be aware of how to protect yourself and your clients from cybersecurity threats. If you’re wondering how to do that, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to pick up some top tips to maintain digital hygiene and stay safe online as a digital nomad. 

Use Strong Passwords

A strong password is your first line of defence against a variety of cyber threats, including hackers and data thieves. Strong passwords are necessary to protect both your online accounts and important documents.

If you do forget your password, PDF password crackers can help you retrieve them, though it’s better to use password generators and managers so you don’t have to resort to this step. Maintaining complete control over your digital assets is particularly important when working abroad, as you’ll be connecting to unfamiliar WiFi networks. 

There are several tips to keep in mind when creating a password. First of all, avoid basic, easily guessable passwords like ‘12345’ and ‘password.’ Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. It’s wise to pick a unique password for each document or account you have. If the worst happens and you do get hacked, this allows you to limit the damage to a single digital asset. 

Use password managers to help

Password generators and managers allow you to create and remove passwords with a click of a button, making it easy to manage a set of complex passwords without the worry of forgetting them. Password managers like LastPass can help you keep track of all your different passwords and also share them securely with your colleagues. Leverage the vast number of password tools available to you to guard your online accounts and documents against bad actors. 

Back-Up Your Work 

Working on the go provides the perfect balance of productivity and enjoyment. However, remote work sometimes involves unplanned disruptions, including suddenly running out of power, losing internet connection and physical damage to laptops and cameras. 

There’s nothing more frustrating than putting time and effort into a project only to lose the work because of a network outage or some other unforeseen technical failure. Whether you’re a freelance writer like me, a marketer or a graphic designer, making sure that the work you do is backed up at all times will help you avoid this unfortunate scenario. When using Microsoft Word, Pages or other similar tools, save your work on a regular basis. 

It’s also a good idea to upload all finished work to the cloud and an external hard drive. You don’t want to put all your data in one basket, as this leaves you vulnerable to losing your hard work in an instant. 

Be Careful About Joining Public Wifi 

Whether travelling abroad or domestically for remote work, using unfamiliar WiFi networks is unavoidable. This means you need to be extra careful about which networks you decide to join, even if you’re staying in a popular ‘work from home’ destination. 

As much as possible, avoid connecting your devices to public WiFi when working. These include networks you might find in airports, train stations and shopping centers. You can never tell who else is using these networks. Try to get your work done in your hotel or Airbnb, and if you do have to work in a public space, use a personal hotspot. While this is a bit more expensive, it’s much better than having your client’s information fall into the hands of the wrong people. Save the cafe WiFi for planning your day trips out of the city.

In the event that there’s no other choice but to use public WiFi, avoid accessing sensitive information while you’re hooked up to a completely unfamiliar WiFi network. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

Use a VPN 

A virtual private network (VPN) is a special service that allows you to connect with a network that’s privately owned by a VPN provider, so you can access the Internet as though you’re geographically located in another country. The chief security benefit of using a good VPN is that it hides your activity from malicious actors like hackers, protecting your personal data and your clients’.  

Another practical benefit of using a VPN is that it allows you to access your clients’ servers and databases no matter where in the world you are. For security reasons, many businesses geoblock their online resources, only letting users from certain countries access them. VPNs help you get around this, so long as you have permission from your client to do so. 

The fact that VPNs have exploded in popularity in an age when cybersecurity threats are more common than ever is no coincidence. A good VPN provider is worth its weight in gold. Make sure to do plenty of research into different options and choose one that gives you the best security.  

Stay Productive and Secure

For many people, being able to travel the world while earning enough money through remote work to support a digital nomad lifestyle is the dream. There are plenty of jobs you can do on the go, including microblogging, SEO and graphic design.

Working when you’re away from home naturally comes with digital risks. These practical steps can help decrease the likelihood of falling prey to cybersecurity threats, from choosing a strong password to using a VPN. Whether you’re living in Kuala Lumpur or close to the fjords of Norway, implement them in your own remote work practices to stay safe and productive as a digital nomad.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored guest post by Adobe.