Nothing strikes fear into the heart of many professionals more than making a blunder online. Whether it’s a personal email mistakenly sent ‘reply all’, accidentally opening a dodgy website on your company PC or a status update that would make Kanye (aka Ye) blush, being mindful of online activity and digital doings is essential.

Do you really want Donna from HR to see those snaps from your holiday in Zante? Here are our tops tips on how to surf safely and maintain your professional cool.

 

In your own good time

Personal browsing should always be done at home or on work breaks and via a private mobile phone or tablet.

While it’s tempting to use the office computer to check Facebook or browse the best one-way flight options to Bora Bora, avoid!

Aside from busting you for misuse of work time, employers may uncover browsing that’s downright embarrassing.

 

Don’t take the bait

Clickbait is there for a reason . . . before you know it, you’re down a deep, dark digital rabbit hole. Often, such websites carry viruses or malware that can seriously compromise technology and sensitive information.

Do you really need to know how Jenny from Arkansas lost 237 pounds in a week using cling film and cayenne pepper? If a website seems NSFW (Not Safe For Work), it isn’t.

Jeopardising your tech can seriously hamper your ability to work.

 

Don’t diss your company

Infatuated with Instagram? Fond of Facebook? Taken with Twitter? We all love a bit of social media but be careful what you put in the public domain.

Employees must be trustworthy and loyal – if it seems like an inappropriate post or comment about your boss or the office, step away from the keyboard.

If you can’t help yourself, adjust your privacy settings, staff are at the frontline of company operations and expected to be ambassadors. Your digital demeanour should be consistent with this.

 

Never share your login details

Your passwords for the company computer, email and intranet should be under tighter security than Wormwood Scrubs.

Never share your login details with other members of staff or allow them to browse for personal reasons while logged into your accounts.

Do you really want to shoulder the blame for three hours a day spent in Minecraft? Like all good staff, appreciate the importance of confidentiality and discretion in the workplace.

 

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