NIST Special Publication 800-114

Revision 1

User’s Guide to Telework and 

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) 

Security 

Murugiah Souppaya

Karen Scarfone

This publication is available free of charge from:

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-114r1

C O M P U T E R S E C U R I T Y
NIST Special Publication 800-114

Revision 1

User’s Guide to Telework and 

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) 

Security

Murugiah Souppaya

Computer Security Division

Information Technology Laboratory 

Karen Scarfone

Scarfone Cybersecurity

Clifton, VA

This publication is available free of charge from:

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-114r1

July 2016

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Penny Pritzker, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Willie May, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director 
Authority

This publication has been developed by NIST in accordance with its statutory responsibilities under the 

Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) of 2014, 44 U.S.C. § 3541 et seq., Public Law 

(P.L.) 113-283. NIST is responsible for developing information security standards and guidelines, including 

minimum requirements for federal information systems, but such standards and guidelines shall not apply 

to national security systems without the express approval of appropriate federal officials exercising policy 

authority over such systems. This guideline is consistent with the requirements of the Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130.

Nothing in this publication should be taken to contradict the standards and guidelines made mandatory and 

binding on federal agencies by the Secretary of Commerce under statutory authority. Nor should these 

guidelines be interpreted as altering or superseding the existing authorities of the Secretary of Commerce, 

Director of the OMB, or any other federal official. This publication may be used by nongovernmental 

organizations on a voluntary basis and is not subject to copyright in the United States. Attribution would, 

however, be appreciated by NIST.

National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-114 Revision 1

Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Spec. Publ. 800-114rev1, 44 pages (July 2016)

CODEN: NSPUE2

This publication is available free of charge from:

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Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an 

experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or 

endorsement by NIST, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best 

available for the purpose. 

There may be references in this publication to other publications currently under development by NIST in accordance 

with its assigned statutory responsibilities. The information in this publication, including concepts and methodologies, 

may be used by federal agencies even before the completion of such companion publications. Thus, until each 

publication is completed, current requirements, guidelines, and procedures, where they exist, remain operative. For 

planning and transition purposes, federal agencies may wish to closely follow the development of these new 

publications by NIST. 

Organizations are encouraged to review all draft publications during public comment periods and provide feedback to 

NIST. Many NIST cybersecurity publications, other than the ones noted above, are available at 

http://csrc.nist.gov/publications.

Comments on this publication may be submitted to:

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Attn: Computer Security Division, Information Technology Laboratory

100 Bureau Drive (Mail Stop 8930) Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930

All comments are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
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Reports on Computer Systems Technology

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology 

(NIST) promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical leadership for the Nation’s 

measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof of concept 

implementations, and technical analyses to advance the development and productive use of information 

technology. ITL’s responsibilities include the development of management, administrative, technical, and 

physical standards and guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of other than national securityrelated information in federal information systems. The Special Publication 800-series reports on ITL’s 

research, guidelines, and outreach efforts in information system security, and its collaborative activities 

with industry, government, and academic organizations.

Abstract

Many people telework, and they use a variety of devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, 

smartphones, and tablets, to read and send email, access websites, review and edit documents, and perform 

many other tasks. Each telework device is controlled by the organization, a third party (such as the 

organization’s contractors, business partners, and vendors), or the teleworker; the latter is known as bring 

your own device (BYOD). This publication provides recommendations for securing BYOD devices used 

for telework and remote access, as well as those directly attached to the enterprise’s own networks. 

Keywords

bring your own device (BYOD); host security; information security; network security; remote access; 

telework
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Acknowledgments

The authors, Murugiah Souppaya of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Karen 

Scarfone of Scarfone Cybersecurity, wish to thank their colleagues who reviewed drafts of this document 

and contributed to its technical content.

The authors would also like to acknowledge the individuals who contributed to the original version of the 

publication, including Tim Grance, Rick Kuhn, Elaine Barker, John Connor, Chris Enloe, and Jim St. Pierre

of NIST; Derrick Dicoi and Victoria Thompson of Booz Allen Hamilton; Paul Hoffman of the VPN 

Consortium; Miles Tracy of Federal Reserve Information Technology; Benjamin Halpert of Lockheed 

Martin; and representatives of the Department of State.

Trademark Information

All trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective organizations.
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Table of Contents

Executive Summary...................................................................................................................vi

1. Introduction .........................................................................................................................1

1.1 Purpose and Scope ....................................................................................................1

1.2 Audience .....................................................................................................................1

1.3 Document Structure ....................................................................................................1

2. Overview of Telework Technologies .................................................................................3

2.1 Remote Access Methods ............................................................................................3

2.2 Telework Devices........................................................................................................4

2.3 Telework Device Security Overview ...........................................................................5

3. Securing Information..........................................................................................................7

4. Securing Home Networks and Using Other Networks ....................................................9

4.1 Wired Home Networks ................................................................................................9

4.2 Wireless Home Networks..........................................................................................10

4.3 External Networks.....................................................................................................12

4.4 Organization Networks..............................................................................................12

5. Securing BYOD Telework PCs.........................................................................................13

5.1 Software Updates .....................................................................................................13

5.2 User Accounts and Sessions ....................................................................................13

5.2.1 Use Accounts with Limited Privileges............................................................14

5.2.2 Protect Accounts with Passwords .................................................................14

5.2.3 Protect User Sessions from Unauthorized Physical Access .........................15

5.3 Networking Configuration..........................................................................................15

5.3.1 Disable Unneeded Networking Features.......................................................15

5.3.2 Limit the Use of Remote Access Utilities.......................................................16

5.3.3 Configure Wireless Networking .....................................................................16

5.4 Attack Prevention......................................................................................................16

5.4.1 Install and Configure Antivirus Software........................................................17

5.4.2 Use Personal Firewalls..................................................................................17

5.4.3 Enable and Configure Content Filtering Software .........................................18

5.5 Primary Application Configuration.............................................................................19

5.5.1 Web Browsers ...............................................................................................20

5.5.2 Email Clients..................................................................................................21

5.5.3 Instant Messaging Clients .............................................................................22

5.5.4 Office Productivity Suites...............................................................................22

5.6 Remote Access Software Configuration ...................................................................22

5.7 Security Maintenance and Monitoring.......................................................................23

6. Securing BYOD Telework Mobile Devices......................................................................25

7. Considering the Security of Third-Party Devices ..........................................................27
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List of Appendices

Appendix A— Additional Security Considerations for Telework .........................................28

A.1 Phone Services.........................................................................................................28

A.2 WPAN Technologies.................................................................................................28

A.3 Wireless Broadband Data Network Technologies ....................................................29

A.4 Information Destruction.............................................................................................29

Appendix B— Glossary ............................................................................................................31

Appendix C— Acronyms and Abbreviations .........................................................................33

Appendix D— Resources .........................................................................................................34
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Executive Summary

Many people telework (also known as telecommuting), which is the ability for an organization’s 

employees, contractors, business partners, vendors, and/or other users to perform work from locations 

other than the organization’s facilities. Teleworkers use various devices, such as desktop and laptop 

computers, smartphones, and tablets, to read and send email, access websites, review and edit documents, 

and perform many other tasks. Most teleworkers use remote access, which is the ability of an 

organization’s users to access its non-public computing resources from locations other than the 

organization’s facilities. Organizations have many options for providing remote access, including virtual 

private networks, remote system control, and individual application access (e.g., webmail).

Telework devices can be divided into two categories: personal computers (desktops, laptops) and mobile 

devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets). Each telework device is controlled by the organization, the 

teleworker, or a third party the teleworker is affiliated with (a contractor, business partner, or vendor for 

the organization). Telework devices controlled by the user are also known as bring your own device 

(BYOD). This publication provides recommendations for securing BYOD devices used for telework and 

remote access, as well as those directly attached to the enterprise’s own networks. Many organizations 

limit the types of BYOD devices that can be used and which resources they can use, such as permitting 

BYOD laptops to access a limited set of resources and permitting all other BYOD devices to access 

webmail only. This allows organizations to limit the risk they incur from BYOD devices. When a 

telework device uses remote access, it is essentially a logical extension of the organization’s own 

network. Therefore, if the telework device is not secured properly, it poses additional risk to not only the 

information that the teleworker accesses but also the organization’s other systems and networks. For 

example, a telework device infected with a worm could spread the worm through remote access to the 

organization’s internal computers. Therefore, telework devices should be secured properly and have their 

security maintained regularly.

Before implementing any of the recommendations or suggestions in this guide, users should back up 

all data and verify the validity of the backups. Readers with little or no experience configuring 

personal computers, mobile devices, or home networks should seek assistance in applying the 

recommendations. Every telework device’s existing configuration and environment is unique, so 

changing its configuration could have unforeseen consequences, including loss of data and loss of 

device or application functionality.

Implementing the following recommendations should help teleworkers improve the security of their 

telework devices. Some of the recommendations may be challenging for many users to implement, so 

users who are unsure of how to implement these recommendations should seek expert assistance.

Before teleworking, users should understand not only their organization’s policies and 

requirements, but also appropriate ways of protecting the organization’s information that they may 

access.

Sensitive information that is stored on or sent to or from telework devices needs to be protected so that 

malicious parties can neither access nor alter information. An unauthorized release of sensitive 

information could damage the public’s trust in an organization, jeopardize the mission of an organization, 

or harm individuals if their personal information has been released. Understanding how to protect such 

information accessed during teleworking can be confusing because there are many ways in which 

information can be protected. Examples include protecting the physical security of telework devices,

encrypting files stored on devices, and ensuring that information stored on devices is backed up.
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Teleworkers should ensure that all the devices on their wired and wireless home networks are 

properly secured, as well as the home networks themselves.

An important part of telework and remote access security is applying security measures to the personal 

computers (PCs) and mobile devices using the same wired and wireless home networks to which the 

telework device normally connects. If any of these other devices become infected with malware or are 

otherwise compromised, they could attack the telework device or eavesdrop on its communications.

Teleworkers should also be cautious about allowing others to place devices on the teleworkers’ home 

networks, in case one of these devices is compromised.

Teleworkers should apply security measures to the home networks to which their telework devices 

normally connect. One example of a security measure is using a broadband router or firewall appliance to 

prevent computers outside the home network from initiating communications with telework devices on 

the home network. Another example is ensuring that sensitive information transmitted over a wireless 

home network is adequately protected through strong encryption.

Teleworkers who use a BYOD desktop or laptop (PC) for telework should secure its operating 

system and primary applications.

Securing a BYOD PC includes the following actions:

 Using a combination of security software, such as antivirus software, personal firewalls, spam and 

web content filtering, and popup blocking, to stop most attacks, particularly malware;

 Restricting who can use the PC by having a separate standard user account for each person, assigning 

a password to each user account, using the standard user accounts for daily use, and protecting user 

sessions from unauthorized physical access;

 Ensuring that updates are regularly applied to the operating system and primary applications, such as 

web browsers, email clients, instant messaging clients, and security software;

 Disabling unneeded networking features on the PC and configuring wireless networking securely;

 Configuring primary applications to filter content and stop other activity that is likely to be malicious;

 Installing and using only known and trusted software;

 Configuring remote access software based on the organization’s requirements and recommendations; 

and

 Maintaining the PC’s security on an ongoing basis, such as changing passwords regularly and 

checking the status of security software periodically.

Teleworkers who use a BYOD mobile device for telework should secure it based on the security 

recommendations from the device’s manufacturer.

A wide variety of mobile devices exists, and security features available for these devices also vary widely.

Some devices offer only a few basic features, whereas others offer sophisticated features similar to those 

offered by PCs. This does not necessarily imply that more security features are better; in fact, many 

devices offer more security features because the capabilities they provide (e.g., wireless networking, 

instant messaging) make them more susceptible to attack than devices without these capabilities. General 

recommendations for securing BYOD mobile devices are as follows:
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 Limit access to the device, such as setting a unique personal identification number (PIN) or password

not used elsewhere, and automatically locking a device after an idle period;

 Disable networking capabilities, such as Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC), except 

when they are needed;

 Ensure that security updates, if available, are acquired and installed at least weekly, preferably daily;

 Configure applications to support security (e.g., blocking activity that is likely to be malicious);

 Download and run apps only from authorized apps stores;

 Do not jailbreak or root the device;

 Do not connect the device to an unknown charging station; and

 Use an isolated, protected, and encrypted environment that is supported and managed by the 

organization to access the organization’s data and services.

Teleworkers should avoid using any client device for telework that is not controlled by the 

organization, the teleworker, or the teleworker’s affiliated organization (contractor, business 

partner, vendor, etc.)

Teleworkers often want to perform remote access from unknown devices, such as checking email from a 

kiosk computer at a hotel or from a friend’s mobile phone. However, teleworkers typically do not know if 

such devices have been secured properly or if they have been compromised. Consequently, a teleworker 

could use a device infected with malware that steals their information (e.g., passwords, email messages, 

and other sensitive data). Many organizations either prohibit unknown devices from being used for 

remote access or permit use only by having the teleworker first restart the PC with special removable 

media inserted so that the PC will reboot into a secure environment for telework purposes.

 
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1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose and Scope

This publication helps teleworkers secure the networks and bring your own device (BYOD) devices they 

use for telework, such as personally owned desktop and laptop computers and mobile devices (e.g., 

smartphones, tablets). The document focuses specifically on security for telework involving remote 

access to organizations’ non-public computing resources. It provides practical, real-world 

recommendations for securing telework computers’ operating systems (OS) and applications, as well as 

home networks that the computers use. It presents basic recommendations for securing mobile devices 

used for telework. The document also presents advice on protecting the information stored on telework

computers and removable media.

1.2 Audience

This document has been created primarily for teleworkers who are responsible for securing the networks 

and BYOD devices that they use for telework. The document also should be helpful to information 

security personnel and others who may need to assist teleworkers with their devices and remote access 

use.

1.3 Document Structure

This document is intended to be used by readers with various levels of experience and security 

knowledge, who are faced with different situations in securing their BYOD devices. For example, one 

reader might be securing a home network and a laptop, while another reader wants to secure a 

smartphone. Not all sections of this guide will apply to every situation.

The remainder of this document is organized into five major sections:

 Section 2 provides an overview of telework and remote access and an introduction to security 

concerns regarding telework devices.

 Section 3 provides guidelines on securing information stored on or sent to or from telework devices.

 Section 4 presents recommendations for securing wired and wireless home networks used for 

telework.

 Section 5 discusses securing BYOD personal computers (PC) through methods such as applying 

software updates and installing and configuring antivirus software and personal firewalls.

 Section 6 gives an overview of securing BYOD mobile devices.

 Section 7 describes the security considerations for third-party devices.

The document also contains several appendices with supporting material:

 Appendix A presents additional security-related considerations for telework, such as using phone 

services (e.g., cellular phones, Voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] services), using wireless personal 

area network (WPAN) technologies such as Bluetooth, using wireless broadband data cards, and 

ensuring the secure destruction of removable media and printed materials that might contain sensitive 

information.

 Appendix B contains a glossary.
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 Appendix C contains a list of acronyms and abbreviations.

 Appendix D lists print resources and online tools and resources that may be helpful references for 

securing BYOD devices.
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2. Overview of Telework Technologies

Many people telework (also known as telecommuting), which is the ability for an organization’s 

employees, contractors, business partners, vendors, and/or other users to perform work from locations 

other than the organization’s facilities. Teleworkers use various devices, such as desktop and laptop 

computers, smartphones, and tablets, to read and send email, access websites, review and edit documents, 

and perform many other tasks. Most teleworkers use remote access, which is the ability for an 

organization’s users to access its non-public computing resources from locations other than the 

organization’s facilities.

This section of the publication provides an overview of telework technologies. It discusses commonly 

used remote access methods and talks about the need to secure telework devices, such as laptops and 

smartphones.

2.1 Remote Access Methods

Organizations have many options for providing remote access to their computing resources. The options 

most commonly used for teleworkers are as follows:

 Virtual private network (VPN). A VPN is a secure “tunnel” that connects the teleworker’s device to 

the organization’s network. Once the tunnel has been established, the teleworker can access many of 

the organization’s computing resources through the tunnel. The types of VPNs most commonly used 

for teleworking are as follows:

– Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) VPN. An IPsec VPN can give teleworkers access to many 

different types of resources, such as applications, file servers, and printers. Using an IPsec VPN 

requires IPsec client software to be installed and configured on each telework device. Various 

applications, such as a word processor for viewing and editing documents, also may need to be 

installed. Because of the software installation and configuration needs, IPsec VPNs are most 

often accessed from computers issued and controlled by the organization. Some organizations 

permit teleworkers to install IPsec VPN clients on their own PCs and mobile devices. The client 

software is often preconfigured by the organization and provided to the teleworkers; otherwise,

teleworkers can configure IPsec VPN clients built into their devices or acquire, install, and 

configure third-party clients.

– Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN. Some SSL VPNs primarily provide access to web

applications through standard web browsers. Other SSL VPNs are very similar to IPsec VPNs 

and can provide access to many types of applications; these types of VPNs typically require users 

to install additional software.

 Remote system control. Remote system control allows a teleworker to remotely use a PC at the 

organization from a telework device. The remote PC has the software installed that the teleworker 

needs to run, such as office productivity software (e.g., word processors, spreadsheet programs) and 

organization-specific applications. The remote system control method most commonly used for 

telework is terminal server access, which gives each teleworker access to a separate standard virtual 

desktop.1 Terminal server access requires the teleworker to either install a special client application 

 1 A less commonly used method is remote desktop access, which gives a teleworker access to a particular actual desktop at 

the organization, most often the user’s own computer at the organization’s office. Solutions involving remote desktop access 

can be more difficult to secure and maintain than solutions based on terminal server access (for example, exposing internal 

desktops to malware from external devices), so many organizations do not permit remote desktop access from telework 

devices not controlled by the organization.
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on the telework device or use a web interface, often with a browser plug-in or other additional 

software that the organization provides. A similar method is known as virtual desktop infrastructure 

(VDI), and it delivers virtual images of operating systems to users. Yet another method that is 

essentially VDI for smartphones and tablets is known as virtual mobile infrastructure (VMI).

 Individual application access. A teleworker can access an individual application remotely, usually a 

web application such as email access. This type of access typically requires only a web browser on 

the telework device, so in most cases there is no need to reconfigure the device or install software on 

it before accessing the applications.

There are many ways in which teleworkers gain access to the Internet, including broadband networks 

(e.g., cable modem, wireless broadband), cellular networks, wireless hotspots, and other organizations’ 

networks. For this publication, the access method used is typically irrelevant; any special considerations

related to a particular method are highlighted.

Most of the computing resources used through remote access are available only to an organization’s users.

Before accessing such resources, the users need to demonstrate their identities, such as with usernames 

and passwords or with credentials from a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) smart card or derived PIV 

credentials. Many remote access solutions require teleworkers to authenticate multiple times; for example, 

a teleworker might need to authenticate to use a VPN, and then authenticate to individual applications 

accessed through the VPN. Many organizations have separate authentication systems for remote access, 

and it is common for teleworkers to be issued a hardware token and to have to enter a code from the token 

into the computer to be authenticated. Many organizations also require teleworkers to reauthenticate 

periodically during long remote access sessions, such as after each eight hours of a session or after 30 

minutes of idle time. These authentication options help organizations confirm that the person using 

remote access is authorized to do so.

Most remote access technologies and many individual applications are able to encrypt their

communications automatically. This ability prevents attackers on the Internet and other networks from 

eavesdropping on the communications or tampering with them. It is outside the scope of this publication 

to provide a detailed explanation of communications protection. Teleworkers should check with their 

organizations as to what protection is applied to their communications, so that they do not inadvertently 

transfer sensitive information over networks without adequate protection.

2.2 Telework Devices

Telework devices can be divided into two general categories:

 Personal computers (PC), which are desktop and laptop computers. PCs run desktop/laptop 

operating systems such as Windows, Apple OS X, and Linux. PCs can be used for any of the remote 

access methods described in Section 2.1.

 Mobile devices, which are small mobile computers such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile devices 

are most often used for remote access methods that use web browsers, primarily SSL VPNs and 

individual web application access.

The difference between PCs and mobile devices is decreasing. Mobile devices are offering more 

functionality previously provided only by PCs. Still, the security controls available for PCs and mobile 

devices are significantly different as of this writing, so this publication provides separate 

recommendations for PCs and mobile devices, where applicable.
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Another set of categories used in the recommendations is the party that is responsible for the security of 

the telework device. These categories are as follows:

 Organization. Telework devices in this category are usually acquired, configured, and managed by 

the organization. These devices can be used for any of the organization’s remote access methods.

 Third-Party-Controlled. These telework devices are controlled by a third party, typically one that 

employs the teleworker on behalf of the organization (such as one of the organization’s contractors, 

business partners, or vendors). This third party is ultimately responsible for securing the telework 

devices and maintaining their security. These devices can usually be used for many or all of the 

organization’s remote access methods.

 Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). All non-organization-controlled devices managed by the 

teleworkers themselves are also known as bring your own device (BYOD).

2 These devices can usually 

be used for many or all of the organization’s remote access methods.

 Unknown. Labeled as “unknown” because there are no assurances regarding their security, these 

telework devices are owned and controlled by other parties, such as kiosk computers at hotels, and 

PCs or mobile devices owned by friends and family. Remote access options for these devices are 

typically quite limited because users cannot or should not install the organization’s software onto 

them, such as VPN software, terminal server software, and web browser plug-ins. Their use is 

extremely risky because of the unknown nature of their security posture. Therefore, many 

organizations either prohibit the use of unknown devices for telework or permit use only by having 

the user first restart the PC with special removable media inserted so that the PC will reboot into a 

secure environment for telework purposes.

For various reasons, including security policies and technology limitations, organizations often limit 

which types of devices can be used for remote access. For example, an organization might permit only its 

own PCs and mobile devices to be used. Some organizations have tiered access levels, such as allowing 

organization PCs to access many resources, BYOD PCs to access a more limited set of resources, and 

BYOD mobile devices to access only one or two resources, such as webmail. This allows an organization 

to limit the risk it incurs by permitting the most-controlled devices to have the most access and the leastcontrolled devices to have minimal access or no access at all.

Before using a BYOD device, each teleworker should check with his or her organization to confirm 

that the organization permits the teleworker’s BYOD devices to be used. Teleworkers should also be 

aware that many organizations periodically reassess their policies for telework devices and may change 

which types of devices are permitted, so teleworkers should ensure they review current information on 

remote access devices.

2.3 Telework Device Security Overview

In today’s computing environment, there are many threats to telework devices. These threats are posed by 

people with many different motivations, including causing mischief and disruption, and committing 

identity theft and other forms of fraud. Teleworkers can increase their devices’ security to provide better 

protection against these threats. The primary threat against most telework devices is malware. Malware, 

also known as malicious code, refers to a computer program that is covertly placed onto a computing 

device with the intent of compromising the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the device’s data, 

 2 Strictly speaking, BYOD devices could be used only within the enterprise, and not for telework or remote access. However, 

the vast majority of BYOD devices are used externally, so for the purposes of this publication, all BYOD devices are 

considered telework devices. The security concerns associated with enterprise-only BYOD devices are nearly identical to 

those for telework BYOD devices.
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applications, or OS. Common types of malware threats include viruses, worms, malicious mobile code, 

Trojan horses, rootkits, spyware, and bots.

3 Malware threats can infect devices through many means, 

including email, websites, file downloads and file sharing, peer-to-peer software, instant messaging, and 

social media. Another common threat against telework devices is loss or theft of the device. Someone 

with physical access to a device has many options for attempting to view or copy the information stored 

on it.

Security protections, also known as security controls, are measures against threats that are intended to 

compensate for the device’s security weaknesses, also known as vulnerabilities. Threats attempt to take 

advantage of these vulnerabilities. Some vulnerabilities can be eliminated through security protections, 

such as a feature in an application that automatically downloads and installs new versions of the 

application that have corrected previous errors. For vulnerabilities that cannot be eliminated, security 

protections can prevent attacks from taking advantage of them, such as antivirus software stopping an 

infected email from being opened by a user, or hard drive encryption making files unreadable by others.

Regardless of how many security protections are used, it is simply impossible to provide 100 percent

protection against attacks because of the complexity of computing. A more realistic goal is to use security 

protections to give attackers as few opportunities as feasible to gain access to a device or to damage the 

device’s software or information. 

For an organization, permitting teleworkers to remotely access its computing resources gives attackers 

additional opportunities to breach the organization’s security. When a telework device uses remote 

access, it is essentially an extension of the organization’s own network. The same is true when a BYOD 

device is directly connected to the organization’s local network. Therefore, if the telework device is not 

secured properly, it poses additional risk not only to the information that the teleworker accesses, but also 

to the organization’s other systems and networks. For example, a telework device infected with a worm 

could spread it through remote access to the organization’s internal computers. Therefore, telework

devices should be secured properly and have their security maintained regularly. 

Many organizations automatically check the security health of each telework device that attempts to use 

remote access to ensure that it complies with the organization’s policies. Examples of the checks are 

verifying that a PC’s OS is fully patched, antivirus software is installed and up-to-date, and a personal 

firewall is enabled, or seeing if a smartphone has been rooted or jailbroken. Some remote access solutions 

can also determine if the device has been secured by the organization and what type of device it is (e.g., 

desktop/laptop, smartphone, tablet). Based on the results of these checks, the organization can determine 

whether the device should be permitted to use remote access.

The remainder of this publication provides recommendations for securing telework devices. The 

recommendations address securing PCs and mobile devices, securing the networks that telework devices 

use, and protecting information stored on and sent to and from telework devices. This publication also 

provides guidance on evaluating the security of unknown devices, so that teleworkers can decide whether 

the devices should be used for remote access.

 3 More information on malware is available in Section 5.4.1.
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3. Securing Information

Sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII) (e.g., personnel records, medical 

records, financial records),

4 that is stored on or sent to or from telework devices needs to be protected so 

that malicious parties cannot access or alter it. An unauthorized release of sensitive information could 

damage the public’s trust in an organization, jeopardize the organization’s mission, or harm individuals if 

their personal information has been released.

Before teleworking, users should understand their organization’s policies and requirements and the 

appropriate ways of protecting the organization’s information. This can be confusing because there are 

many ways in which information can be protected. Examples of methods that organizations may expect or 

require teleworkers to use are as follows:

 Using physical security controls for telework devices and removable media. For example, an 

organization might require that laptops not be left unattended when taken to hotels, conferences, and 

other locations where third parties could easily gain physical access to the devices. Organizations may 

also have physical security requirements for papers and other non-computer media that contain 

sensitive information and are taken outside the organization’s facilities.

 Encrypting files stored on telework devices and removable media such as CDs and flash drives.

This prevents attackers from readily gaining access to information in the files. Many options exist for 

protecting files, including encrypting individual files or folders, volumes, and hard drives. Generally, 

using an encryption method to protect files also requires the use of an authentication mechanism (e.g., 

password) to decrypt the files when needed.

 Ensuring that information stored on telework devices is backed up. If something adverse happens 

to a device, such as a hardware, software, or power failure or a natural disaster, the information on the 

device will be lost unless it has been backed up to another device or removable media. Some 

organizations permit teleworkers to back up their local files to a centralized system (e.g., through 

VPN remote access), whereas other organizations recommend that their teleworkers perform local 

backups (e.g., burning CDs, copying files onto removable media). Teleworkers should perform 

backups, following their organizations’ guidelines, and verify that the backups are valid and 

complete.5 It is important that backups on removable media be secured at least as well as the device 

that they backed up. For example, if a computer is stored in a locked room, then the media also 

should be in a secured location; if a computer stores its data encrypted, then the backups of that data 

should also be encrypted.

 Ensuring that information is destroyed when it is no longer needed. For example, the 

organization’s files should be removed from a computer that is about to be retired. Some remote 

 4 OMB Memorandum 06-19, Reporting Incidents Involving Personally Identifiable Information and Incorporating the Cost 

for Security in Agency Information Technology Investments, defines PII as “any information about an individual maintained 

by an agency, including, but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment 

history and information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as their name, social security 

number, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, biometric records, etc., including any other personal information 

which is linked or linkable to an individual.” The full text of the memorandum is available at 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2006/m-06-19.pdf. 5 If the backups are not valid or complete, information may be lost, so validation of backups is very important. Some backup

utilities offer features that can check each backup to ensure it is valid. For a simple backup, such as copying files to 

removable media, a teleworker may be able to check the backup by opening a sampling of files from the media. Teleworkers 

can also test the backup restoration process, such as restoring a backup onto another computer or restoring backed-up files 

into a separate test folder. Teleworkers should be cautious when testing a restore so that they do not inadvertently overwrite 

the current information on the device. Teleworkers should consult the documentation for the backup process to determine 

how the backups should be validated.
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access methods perform basic information cleanup, such as clearing web browser caches that might 

inadvertently hold sensitive information, but more extensive cleanup typically requires using a special 

utility, such as a disk scrubbing program specifically designed to remove all traces of information 

from a device. Many organizations offer their teleworkers assistance in removing information from 

BYOD devices. Another example of information destruction is shredding telework papers containing 

sensitive information once the papers are no longer needed.

 Erasing information from missing devices. If a smartphone or tablet is lost or stolen, its contents 

might be remotely erasable by the organization or its service provider, particularly if the device has 

cellular networking enabled. Erasing the contents prevents an attacker from obtaining any information 

from the device. The availability of this service depends on the capabilities of the product and the 

company providing network services for the product.

Each situation may require a different combination of protection options: for example, an organization 

might require one combination for SSL VPN access from BYOD PCs and another combination for access 

to an individual application from BYOD mobile devices. Teleworkers should follow their organizations’ 

requirements and recommendations for protecting sensitive information accessed with telework devices.

Some organizations use the same requirements and recommendations for all types of information because 

of the difficulties in differentiating sensitive and nonsensitive information.

Teleworkers also need to ensure that they adequately protect their remote access-specific authenticators, 

such as passwords, personal identification numbers (PIN), and hardware tokens. Such authenticators 

should not be stored with the telework device, nor should multiple authenticators be stored with each 

other (e.g., a password or PIN should not be written on the back of a hardware token).

Teleworkers should also be aware of how to handle threats involving social engineering, which is a 

general term for attackers trying to trick people into revealing sensitive information or performing certain 

actions, such as downloading and executing files that appear to be benign but are actually malicious. For 

example, an attacker might approach a teleworker in a coffee shop and ask to use the computer for a 

minute or offer to help the teleworker with using the computer. Teleworkers should be wary of any 

requests they receive that could lead to a security breach or the theft of a telework device. Teleworkers 

should ask their organizations for training regarding how to recognize and handle social engineering 

attempts, if such training is not already being provided.

If a teleworker suspects that a security breach (including loss or theft of materials) has occurred involving 

a telework device, remote access communications, removable media, or other telework components, the 

teleworker should immediately follow the organization’s policy and procedures for reporting the possible 

breach. This is particularly important if any of the affected telework components contain sensitive 

information such as PII, so that the potential impact of a security breach is minimized. Teleworkers 

should also contact the appropriate point of contact within the organization whenever they have questions 

or concerns related to telework security.
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4. Securing Home Networks and Using Other Networks

An important part of telework and remote access security is applying security measures to the home 

networks to which the telework device normally connects.6 A major component of home network security 

is securing other PCs and mobile devices on the home network. If any of these devices become infected 

with malware or are otherwise compromised, they could be used to attack the telework device or 

eavesdrop on its communications. Consequently, teleworkers should ensure that all devices on their home 

networks are secured properly. Teleworkers should also be cautious about allowing others to place 

devices on the teleworkers’ wired and wireless home networks, in case one of these devices has been or 

will be compromised. Teleworkers also need to be aware of the risks of using external networks and of 

the procedures for connecting their telework devices, including BYOD devices, to the organization’s own 

networks.

Sections 4.1 and 4.2 present recommendations for securing wired and wireless home networks, 

respectively. Section 4.3 briefly discusses the security implications of performing telework from external 

networks. (Many of the recommendations made in Sections 4.1 through 4.3 may be challenging for many 

users to implement. Users who are unsure of how to implement these recommendations should seek 

expert assistance.) Finally, Section 4.4 discusses issues regarding connecting BYOD devices to an 

organization’s own networks.

4.1 Wired Home Networks

Teleworkers should secure their wired home networks to help protect their telework devices. The most 

important part of securing most wired home networks is separating the home network from the network’s 

Internet Service Provider (ISP) as much as possible. If a telework device connects directly to the 

teleworker’s ISP, such as plugging the device directly into a cable modem, then the device becomes 

directly accessible from the Internet and is at very high risk of being attacked. To prevent this from 

occurring, the home network should have a security device between the ISP and the telework device. This 

is most commonly accomplished by using a broadband router (e.g., cable modem router) or a firewall 

appliance.

7

This security device should be configured to prevent computers outside the home network from initiating 

communications with any of the devices on the home network, including the telework device.

8 Even if 

each device uses a personal firewall, a firewall appliance, broadband router, or other similar protection

should also be used to provide an additional layer of security. For example, if a personal firewall on a 

computer malfunctioned, the appliance or router would still protect the computer from unsolicited

network communications from external computers. In some cases, the appliance or router also can protect

devices on the home network from each other—if the devices are logically separated by the appliance or 

 6 Some telework devices, such as smartphones and laptops with wireless broadband network cards, may not use home 

networks. 7 A firewall appliance should not be confused with a personal firewall, which is software based; a firewall appliance is a 

separate physical device. A firewall appliance for a home network cannot perform the rigorous firewalling (e.g., stateful

inspection) that enterprise-class firewalls can provide. Firewall appliances are intended to provide an additional layer of 

security by reducing the number of attacks that reach the PCs on the home network. 8 Some firewalls provide this protection through a feature known as network address translation (NAT). NAT translates the 

home network’s external, public Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned by the ISP into multiple internal private IP 

addresses. This not only helps to prevent external computers from initiating connections to the home network computers, but 

it also allows the home network to use a single public IP address, even though multiple devices may exist on the home 

network. This may offer a cost savings for consumers (many ISPs charge fees for multiple IP addresses). However, NAT 

may also interfere with the use of an organization’s remote access solutions, particularly VPNs, as well as the use of the 

IPv6 protocol, so teleworkers should check with their organizations if they experience problems with the organizations’ 

VPN or IPv6 services while using NAT. 
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router. For example, a router that has both wired and wireless interfaces might be able to prevent the 

spread of certain types of malware from a device on the wireless network to a device on the wired 

network, depending on the router’s capabilities and configuration. However, such home network 

configurations are relatively complex to set up and maintain, so only users who are proficient in 

networking and security should consider implementing these configurations.

When installing and configuring firewall appliances, broadband routers, and similar devices, teleworkers 

should perform the security precautions described in the manufacturer’s documentation. The following 

are some examples of possible precautions:

9

 Changing default passwords on the device so that attackers cannot use them to gain access to the 

device (lists of default passwords are widely available on the Internet);

 Configuring the device so that it cannot be administered from outside the home network, preventing

external attackers from taking control of the device;

 Configuring the device to silently ignore unsolicited requests sent to it, which essentially hides the 

device from malicious parties. Teleworkers should check with their ISP before configuring a device 

this way, because it could inadvertently interfere with necessary communications with the ISP’s 

infrastructure;

 Checking for updates and applying them periodically, as explained in the manufacturer’s 

documentation—either automatically (typically daily or weekly) or manually (to be performed by the 

teleworker at least monthly); and

 For broadband routers, turning off or disabling built-in wireless access points (APs) that are not used.

The proper precautionary measures for a firewall appliance, broadband router, etc. vary greatly from 

device to device, so some or all of these options may not be applicable to many devices.

4.2 Wireless Home Networks

Wireless networking transfers information through the air between a telework device and a wireless AP.

10

If improperly configured, a wireless home network will transmit sensitive information without adequate 

protection, exposing it to other wireless devices in close proximity. Accordingly, teleworkers should

secure their wireless home networks so that their remote access communications are protected.

Teleworkers should follow the security recommendations from the documentation for the home network’s 

wireless AP. Assuming that the network is using Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

802.11 protocols, the following are examples of common security recommendations:

 Use strong encryption to protect communications. An industry group called the Wi-Fi Alliance has 

created a series of product security certifications called Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which 

include the WPA and WPA2 certifications. These certifications define sets of security requirements 

for wireless networking devices. Devices with wireless network cards that support either WPA or 

WPA2 can use their security features, such as encrypting network communications with the 

 9 If the manufacturer’s documentation does not explicitly recommend any security precautions, teleworkers should consider 

implementing the examples, assuming that the appliance or router supports the configuration options listed in the examples. 10 A device can also wirelessly network directly with another device through what is known as an ad hoc wireless network. 

However, known security risks exist with ad hoc networks; therefore, this guide does not recommend their use.
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Advanced Encryption Security (AES) algorithm.11 Recommended choices, in order with the most 

preferred option first, are as follows:

1. WPA2 with AES

2. WPA with AES

3. WPA with Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is an earlier form of protection for wireless communications that 

has serious flaws. Attackers can easily circumvent WEP and gain access to the information being sent 

over the wireless network. If WEP is the only protection option available for a home network, users 

should configure it to use 128-bit encryption (which will somewhat slow attacks), use the 

organization’s secure remote access solution (e.g., VPN) to protect their remote access 

communications, and avoid sending any sensitive information unprotected.

 Use a WPA2, WPA, or WEP key (depending on the option selected above). This key is a series of 

characters (either a password composed of letters, digits, and punctuation, or a hexadecimal number) 

that is used to limit access to a wireless network. A wireless AP can be configured to require each 

device to provide the same key as the one stored in the AP. Devices that do not know the key cannot 

use the wireless network. The key should be long and complex, making it difficult for others to guess.

This should help to prevent people near the AP from gaining unauthorized access to the network.

 Permit access for only particular wireless network cards. Some APs can be configured to allow 

only specific devices to use the wireless network. This is accomplished by identifying the media 

access control (MAC) address of each device’s wireless network card and entering the MAC address 

into a list on the AP. Because a MAC address should be unique to a particular network interface, 

specifying its MAC address in the AP can be helpful in preventing some unauthorized parties from 

gaining wireless network access.12 (Consult a device’s documentation to learn how to determine its 

MAC address.)

 Change the default service set identifier (SSID). An SSID is a name assigned to a wireless AP. The 

SSID allows people and devices to distinguish one wireless network from another. Most APs have a 

default SSID—often the manufacturer or product’s name. If this default SSID is not changed, and 

another nearby wireless network has the same default SSID, then the teleworker’s device might 

accidentally attempt to join the wrong wireless network.13 Changing the SSID to something 

unusual—not the default value or an obvious value, such as “SSID” or “wireless”—makes it much 

less likely that a device will choose the wrong network.

 Disable SSID broadcasts from the wireless AP. Many wireless APs broadcast the SSID, which 

essentially advertises the existence of the AP to any computers in the vicinity. Configuring an AP so 

that it does not broadcast its SSID makes it less likely that people will inadvertently attempt to join 

the wireless network, but does not stop an attacker from doing so.

 11 AES is a Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) approved encryption algorithm, which means that it has been 

reviewed and approved by the Federal Government as being sufficiently strong to protect information on federal systems. 12 A knowledgeable attacker can circumvent MAC address lists by configuring his or her computer to pretend to use an 

authorized MAC address. MAC address lists are mainly helpful at preventing use of the wireless network by people who 

have no malicious intent, such as someone accidentally connecting to the network or someone looking for a way to get 

Internet access. Using MAC address lists provides an additional layer of security that can deter attackers (e.g., cause them to 

look for easier targets) but not stop them. 13 If the teleworker’s access point and telework device are configured to use encryption, the telework device will fail to join 

the other wireless network because the two networks are using different encryption keys. This is another benefit of using 

encryption for wireless communications.
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 Disable AP administration through wireless communications. Flaws are frequently identified in 

the administration utilities for wireless APs. If an AP has such a flaw, attackers in the vicinity could 

reconfigure it to disable its security features or use it to acquire access to the teleworker’s home 

network or the Internet. To prevent such incidents, teleworkers should configure APs so that they can 

only be administered locally, if feasible—such as running a cable between a computer and the AP—

and not administered wirelessly or otherwise remotely.

4.3 External Networks

Teleworkers should be aware that networks other than their home networks are unlikely to provide much 

protection for their telework devices and communications, such as a laptop using a wireless hotspot at a 

coffee shop. For example, external networks may not encrypt network communications, making them 

susceptible to eavesdropping, particularly for wireless networks. Telework devices on external networks 

are also often directly accessible from the Internet. Some networks provide partial protection, such as 

blocking specific types of communications usually associated with malicious activity and checking 

communications for the most common known threats, such as widespread worms or spam messages.

Because there is usually no easy way for teleworkers to determine what protection an external network 

might be providing for their devices, teleworkers should assume that third-party networks are not 

providing any protection. Telework devices on third-party networks are generally at higher risk of being 

compromised than those on home networks, and their communications are also at higher risk of being 

monitored. Before using a third-party network, teleworkers should ensure that their devices are fully 

updated (see Section 5.1 and Section 6). The updates should be retrieved over a trusted network, such as 

the user’s home network. When teleworkers use a third-party network to access their organization’s 

computing resources, they should use a VPN or other secure remote access solution provided by the 

organization, and they should activate the secure remote access solution (e.g., establishing a VPN session) 

immediately after connecting to the third-party network, if applicable.

4.4 Organization Networks

Organizations may choose to permit BYOD devices to directly connect to networks within their facilities, 

such as using a wireless network within a user’s office building. Teleworkers who are interested in 

bringing BYOD devices into the office to use enterprise networks should first determine if the 

organization permits such network access, and if they do, then find out which network(s) the BYOD 

devices are allowed to use. Many organizations set up a dedicated BYOD network, usually wireless, and 

this network is the only one that BYOD devices can directly connect to. Teleworkers should not connect 

any BYOD devices to an organization’s internal networks without explicit permission to do so.
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5. Securing BYOD Telework PCs

Teleworkers who use BYOD desktop or laptop PCs for telework should implement the recommendations

presented in this section. These recommendations should be helpful in securing a PC’s OS and primary 

applications. Teleworkers who do not need to secure BYOD PCs may skip this section.

Some of the recommendations made in this section may be challenging for many users to implement.

Users who are unsure of how to implement these recommendations should seek expert assistance.

5.1 Software Updates

Many threats take advantages of vulnerabilities in software on PCs. Software manufacturers release 

updates for their software to eliminate these vulnerabilities. Accordingly, teleworkers should ensure that

updates are applied regularly to the major software on their BYOD PCs. In addition to the OS, updating 

should include the following types of software:

 Web browsers;

 Email clients;

 Instant messaging clients;

 Office productivity software (document viewers, word processors, spreadsheet tools, etc.);

 Antivirus software; and

 Personal firewalls.

Teleworkers should review manufacturer documentation for each software program their PC contains in 

these categories to determine each program’s update capabilities. Most major software programs provide 

built-in mechanisms to update themselves automatically. Teleworkers should enable these features so that 

the programs check for updates at least weekly, preferably daily (especially for antivirus software and 

other security software). For any programs that do not offer automatic updating, the teleworker should 

determine from the documentation other available options, such as running an update feature from the 

application’s menus every week or visiting the manufacturer’s website weekly for updates and 

downloading and installing any available updates.

For a PC with metered connectivity, such as a cellular modem, teleworkers should be cautious when 

configuring automatic software update features. Because many updates are very large, downloading them

over metered networks could be quite costly. Large updates should be downloaded over non-metered 

networks whenever feasible.

Some software manufacturers offer updates at no charge, whereas others require an annual fee or other 

payment to receive updates, such as paying a subscription fee to get the latest antivirus signatures. Most 

software manufacturers that charge a fee allow users to pay it through the manufacturer’s website and 

receive updates within minutes of making payment.

5.2 User Accounts and Sessions

A PC can be configured with user accounts and passwords to restrict who can use the PC. This section 

explains how teleworkers can configure their BYOD PCs to prevent unauthorized access to their 

applications and data.
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5.2.1 Use Accounts with Limited Privileges

On most OSs, user accounts can have full privileges or limited privileges. Accounts with full privileges, 

also known as administrative accounts, should be used only when performing PC management tasks, 

such as installing updates and application software, managing user accounts, and modifying OS and 

application settings. If a PC is attacked while an administrative account is in use, the attack will be able to 

inflict more damage to the PC. Therefore, user accounts should be set up to have limited privileges; such 

accounts are known as daily use, limited, or standard user accounts. Teleworkers should not use 

administrative accounts for general tasks, such as reading email, web browsing, and social networking,

because such tasks are common ways of infecting PCs with malware.

The primary disadvantages of having separate administrative and standard user accounts are that standard 

users might not be able to run some applications, especially ones designed for older OSs, or to install 

applications and OS or application updates. This could cause a significant delay in downloading and 

installing updates, as well as making other tasks less convenient for users. Some OSs have a feature that 

allows a person logged in as a standard user to perform individual administrative tasks by selecting a 

particular option.

Each person who uses the telework PC should have a separate standard user account. On most OSs, this 

keeps each person’s data and settings (e.g., files, stored emails, web browser bookmarks and security 

settings) private from other people using the PC. It also helps limit how much damage certain attacks can 

cause, such as damaging only one user’s files, not all users’ files.

5.2.2 Protect Accounts with Passwords

Each PC user account should have a password to prevent unauthorized people from using the PC—not 

only people with physical access to the PC, but also attackers attempting to contact the PC from other 

computers. Users should select strong passwords that cannot be guessed by attackers. The following are 

recommended practices for password selection:

14

 Select a sufficiently long password. Longer passwords are more difficult to guess than shorter 

passwords of similar complexity (see below). The downside is that longer passwords are often more 

difficult for users to remember. Users should select passwords that are at least eight characters long.

Passphrases, which are long passwords composed of multiple words, may be easier to remember than 

conventional passwords.

 Create a complex password. A variety of characters should be part of the password. For example, a 

password made of all lower case letters is a relatively simple password, but another password of the 

same length made of upper and lower case letters, digits, and symbols (such as punctuation marks) is 

relatively complex. The more complex the password is, the more difficult it will be for others to 

guess. Users should select passwords containing digits and/or symbols in addition to letters. Users 

should not create new passwords that are very similar to old passwords. For example, if the old 

password was “dahlia*1”, the new password should not be “dahlia*2”.

 Do not use password hints. Password hints can be very helpful to people in guessing others’ 

passwords and using them to gain unauthorized access to a PC. Users should not use password hints 

unless their PCs do not need protection from people with physical access to them.

 14 Organizations may have additional requirements for the selection and management of passwords on BYOD PCs used for 

telework. Teleworkers should ensure that they meet any such requirements, in addition to the recommendations listed here.
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 Do not use the same password for other accounts. Teleworkers should not use the same password 

for multiple accounts, such as organization and personal email accounts, instant messaging accounts, 

and e-commerce website accounts. If the password used for the telework PC is also used for other 

user accounts and an attacker learned one of the passwords, the attacker could then access the other 

accounts.

Teleworkers should change their passwords regularly, based on the interval specified in their 

organizations’ password policies. This is necessary because if a password is unknowingly revealed to an 

unauthorized person or uncovered by malware or other automated attacks, the password could be used 

without authorization until the teleworker changes the password.

If an OS password is forgotten, especially for an administrative account, it may be difficult to regain 

access to the PC. Therefore, users should consider writing down their OS passwords and storing them in a 

physically secure location, such as a locked fire safe. Users should also safeguard their other passwords, 

such as application and website passwords. For example, some organizations provide cryptographic 

tokens to teleworkers that can be used to hold passwords. When the teleworker needs to retrieve a 

password, he or she authenticates to the token (such as entering a PIN into the token), and the token 

provides the password. The token helps prevent users from losing their passwords while also protecting

the passwords from attackers. Another option for protecting application and website passwords is a 

password management utility, which is a program that can be used to generate, store, and access 

passwords securely. A teleworker typically enters a single password to gain access to all the passwords 

stored by the utility.

5.2.3 Protect User Sessions from Unauthorized Physical Access

It is important that user sessions be protected against unauthorized physical access. For example, if a PC

is sitting unattended in an area that other people can access, anyone could walk up to the PC and 

masquerade as the user, such as sending email from the user’s account, accessing the organization’s 

remote access resources, making purchases from websites, or accessing sensitive information stored on 

the PC. To prevent such events, most OSs allow the user to lock the current session through menu options 

or a combination of keystrokes. Also, many OSs offer screensavers that activate automatically after the 

PC has been idle for a certain number of minutes, and can also be activated manually by the user on 

demand. Some of these screensavers can be configured to lock the PC and require the user to enter his or 

her password to unlock it. If a PC will be left unattended in an accessible area at any time, users should

use a password-protected screensaver or manually lock their user sessions. However, users should be 

aware that these security features provide only short-term protection; someone who has access to the PC 

for an extended period of time can bypass these features and gain access to the user’s session and data.

5.3 Networking Configuration

Most PCs can be configured to limit network access, which reduces the number of ways in which 

attackers can try to gain access to the PC. This section makes recommendations for configuring 

networking features to better protect the PC.

5.3.1 Disable Unneeded Networking Features

By default, most PCs provide several networking features that can provide communications and data 

sharing between PCs. Most teleworkers need to use only a few of these features. Because many attacks 

are network based, PCs should use only the necessary networking features. For example, file and printer 

sharing services, which allow other computers to access a telework PC’s files and printers, should be 

disabled unless the PC shares its files or printers with other computers, or if a particular application on the 
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PC requires the service to be enabled.15 Other examples of services that might not be needed are IPv6 

protocols and wireless networking protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, NFC [Near Field 

Communication]). Consult the PC’s hardware and OS documentation for guidance on which network 

features should be disabled; if still unsure, seek expert assistance.

5.3.2 Limit the Use of Remote Access Utilities

Some OSs offer features that allow a teleworker to get remote technical support assistance from a 

coworker, friend, product manufacturer, or others when running into problems with a PC. Many 

applications are also available that permit remote access to the PC from other computers. Although these 

features are convenient, they also increase the risk that the PC will be accessed by attackers. Therefore, 

such utilities should be kept disabled at all times except specifically when needed. The utilities should 

also be configured to require the remote person to be authenticated, usually with a username and 

password, before gaining access to the PC. (See the recommendations in Section 5.2.2 for choosing strong 

passwords.) Provide the username and password to the remote person in person, by phone, or by other 

means that cannot be monitored by attackers; do not send passwords through email messages, instant 

messaging, or other methods that may not provide protection for communications.

5.3.3 Configure Wireless Networking

An improperly configured wireless network could transmit sensitive information without protecting it 

properly, allowing people nearby to eavesdrop. Section 4.2 explains how to secure a wireless home 

network. In addition, PCs should be configured so that they do not automatically attempt to join wireless 

networks they detect. For example, a PC could join a neighbor’s wireless home network instead of the 

teleworker’s network; if that neighbor’s network is improperly secured, then the teleworker’s 

communications and computer could be at higher risk. Therefore, teleworkers should configure their PCs 

so they do not join detected wireless networks automatically, with the exception of the organization’s own 

wireless networks, if such access is authorized. Teleworkers should also configure their PCs so that they 

cannot use ad hoc networking, which is a relatively easy way to attack a PC.

5.4 Attack Prevention

As explained in Section 2, no 100 percent solution exists for computer security; it is simply not possible 

to thwart every single attack. PCs should use a combination of software and software features that will 

stop most attacks, particularly malware. The types of software described in this section are antivirus 

software, personal firewalls, spam and web content filtering, and popup blocking. Changing a few settings 

on common applications, such as email clients and web browsers, can also stop some attacks.

Although security tools can stop many attacks, teleworkers also need to practice safe computing habits.

One of the most common ways that PCs are attacked is by users opening and executing files from 

unknown and untrusted sources. Teleworkers may download these files from websites, file sharing 

services, or other means, or they may be sent to teleworkers through email, instant messaging, social 

media, and other communications services. These files often contain malware, and teleworkers 

unknowingly infect their PCs by trying to use these files. Teleworkers should avoid using any files that 

are coming from unknown and untrusted sources. Other people using a BYOD PC should also be made 

aware of safe computing habits.

 15 It is particularly important to disable such services if the PC will be used on unsecured wireless networks, such as most 

wireless hotspots.
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5.4.1 Install and Configure Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is specifically designed to detect many forms of malware and prevent them from 

infecting PCs, as well as cleaning PCs that have already been infected. Because malware is the most 

common threat against PCs, NIST recommends that PCs use antivirus software at all times.16 The

antivirus software should be kept up-to-date, as described in Section 5.1.

Many brands of antivirus software are available, most of which offer similar functionality. NIST 

recommends configuring antivirus software to use the following types of functions:

 Automatically checking for and acquiring updates of signature or data definition files at least daily;

 Scanning critical OS components, such as startup files, system basic input/output system (BIOS), and 

boot records;

 Monitoring the behavior of common applications, such as email clients, web browsers, file transfer 

and file sharing programs, and instant messaging software;

 Performing real-time scans of each file as it is downloaded, opened, or executed;

 Scanning all hard drives regularly to identify any file system infections, and optionally scanning

removable media as well;

 Handling files that are infected by attempting to disinfect them, which refers to removing malware 

from within a file, and quarantining them, which means that files containing malware are stored in 

isolation for future disinfection or examination; and

 Logging all significant events, such as the results of scans, the startup and shutdown of antivirus 

software, the installation of updates, and the discovery and handling of any instances of malware.

5.4.2 Use Personal Firewalls

A personal firewall is a software program that monitors communications between a PC and other 

computers and that blocks communications that are unwanted. When properly configured, a personal 

firewall limits the ability of other computers to initiate communications with the telework PC. This can 

significantly reduce the exposure of the PC to network-based attacks, such as worms and botnets. A 

personal firewall can also be used to protect shared resources on a PC, such as file and print shares.

Accordingly, a personal firewall should be enabled on every telework PC. Personal firewalls should be 

configured to log significant events, such as blocked and allowed activity, the startup and shutdown of the 

firewall software, and firewall configuration changes, to assist in troubleshooting problems. All personal 

firewalls can monitor incoming communications, and some can also monitor outbound communications; 

the latter offers better security, but it can also inadvertently cause problems in using certain applications.

Although personal firewalls are important security controls for PCs, some can be relatively difficult to 

configure correctly. If a personal firewall is configured to be too restrictive, it could prevent some

applications or OS functions from working correctly. For example, a personal firewall might prevent the 

use of file and print services. On the other hand, if a personal firewall is configured to be too permissive, 

it could permit attacks to compromise the PC. Teleworkers should read their personal firewall 

 16 For some OSs, such as most Unix-based OSs, alternate types of antimalware software, such as rootkit detectors, may be 

more effective than antivirus software at protecting the PCs from malware and should be used instead of antivirus software. 

Readers with such OSs should adjust the recommendations presented in this publication so that they apply to the types of 

antimalware software most useful for their particular OSs. 
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documentation carefully to gain a solid understanding of how it should be configured. If it is not clear, 

teleworkers should seek expert guidance on configuring their personal firewalls.17

Ideally, personal firewalls should deny all types of communications that teleworkers have not specifically 

approved as being permitted. This is known as a deny by default configuration because all 

communications that are not on the exception list are denied (blocked) automatically. Most firewalls can 

be configured to allow communications based on lists of authorized applications, such as web browsers 

contacting web servers and email clients sending and receiving email messages. Communications 

involving any other application are either denied automatically, or permitted or denied based on the 

teleworker responding to a prompt asking for a decision regarding the activity. For example, if a 

teleworker installs a new application and runs it for the first time, the firewall might ask the teleworker if 

that application should be allowed to access the Internet.

Unfortunately, this feature can be problematic. Personal firewalls often do not provide clear information 

on which application is attempting to use the network, so teleworkers struggle to determine if the activity 

is benign or malicious. If the nature of the activity is unclear, cautious teleworkers often choose to block 

the activity, but this may inadvertently disrupt legitimate activity. To avoid this problem, many 

teleworkers choose to permit access whenever asked, but this could support malicious activity. When 

unsure what to do, teleworkers should search for additional information about the service or software in 

question or ask someone with more security expertise for assistance.

Each PC should only have a single personal firewall enabled.18 If multiple firewalls are enabled, they may 

interfere with each other. For example, one firewall might allow activity that the other one has been 

configured to block. This could slow the performance of the PC, cause applications to stop functioning 

properly, and weaken the computer’s security. When enabling a firewall, teleworkers should verify that 

the firewall’s functionality is enabled for every network interface on the PC, including VPNs and wired,

wireless, and virtual network cards. 

Many personal firewalls offer additional security features. For example, some firewalls offer the ability to 

require teleworkers to enter a password before accessing the firewall’s configuration settings. This 

protects the configuration from being inadvertently or purposely altered by a user.

Teleworkers should be aware that most firewalls are frequently stopping unwanted activity. For example, 

worms and other malware are constantly trying to infect more PCs. Teleworkers should not be alarmed by 

notices from their firewall that indicate that incoming connections were blocked or that a specific attack 

was attempted. If a firewall indicates that the PC was just scanned for a particular worm, this does not in 

any way indicate that the PC has actually been infected with a worm.

5.4.3 Enable and Configure Content Filtering Software

Content filtering is the process of monitoring communications such as email and web pages, analyzing 

them for suspicious content, and preventing the delivery of suspicious content to users. Two common 

types of content filtering are spam filtering software and web content filtering software.

 17 Configuring a personal firewall can be a complex task. Some firewalls have rules for specific protocols, services, or port 

numbers (e.g., File Transfer Protocol [FTP], Hypertext Transfer Protocol [HTTP], Simple Mail Transfer Protocol [SMTP]). 

For these firewalls, proper configuration may require networking and security experience. 18 Having multiple personal firewalls installed on a single PC is fine as long as only one is enabled at a time. For example, 

some OSs have built-in personal firewalls, but a user might install a third-party firewall onto the computer because the thirdparty firewall is part of a security software suite that includes antivirus software and other security applications.
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Spam is often used to deliver spyware and other forms of malware to users. Spam is also frequently used 

for performing phishing attacks, which are deceptive computer-based means to trick individuals into 

disclosing sensitive personal information. Spam filtering software analyzes emails to search for spam 

characteristics, and typically places messages that appear to be spam in a separate email folder. Most 

organizations perform spam filtering for their users; however, because spam filtering is subjective, some 

spam will still reach users, and some desired email messages will accidentally be classified as spam. Still, 

spam filtering software can significantly reduce the amount of spam that reaches users. Many email

clients also offer spam filtering capabilities.

Users can refine spam filtering capabilities through the following customization options:

 Blacklists. A blacklist is a list of email senders who have previously sent spam to a user. When a user 

receives a spam message, he or she can request that the sender’s email address be added to a blacklist.

This will cause future emails from the same sender to be classified as spam automatically.

 Whitelists. A whitelist is a list of email senders that are known to be benign, such as coworkers, 

friends, and family. A user can add their email addresses to a whitelist, which will cause their future 

emails to not be classified as spam. Spam filtering accidentally classifies some emails as spam that 

are not, but a whitelist overrides that classification and ensures that emails from trusted senders are 

received by the user.

 Bayesian Spam Filters. A Bayesian spam filter determines the likelihood that a particular email

message is spam, based on a comparison of the email’s characteristics with those of previously 

received spam messages. When a user receives email, the user corrects any errors that the spam 

filtering software has made. The Bayesian filter then analyzes the benign messages and the spam to 

record their characteristics. For example, a Bayesian filter might record that a user has received 

35 spam messages containing the phrase “FREE FREE FREE” but no benign messages with that 

phrase. When a user receives a new email, the filter looks for that phrase, as well as any other 

characteristics associated with benign or spam messages, and assigns a spam probability to the 

message. The effectiveness of Bayesian filters depends on users reviewing all their emails and 

ensuring each is marked correctly as being spam or not.

Web content filtering software typically works by comparing a website address that a user attempts to 

access with a list of known bad websites. Although the primary purpose of web content filtering software 

is to prevent access to inappropriate materials, many also contain lists of websites that are known as 

hostile, such as those attempting to distribute malware to visitors or hosting phishing websites. Web 

content filtering software might inadvertently classify benign content as inappropriate or vice versa.

From a telework PC security perspective, spam content filtering technologies and web content filtering 

technologies are strongly recommended. All content filtering products that are used should be kept up-todate to ensure that their detection is as accurate as possible.

5.5 Primary Application Configuration

Many attacks, particularly malware, take advantage of features provided by common applications such as 

email clients, web browsers, instant messaging clients, and office productivity suites. By default, 

applications often are configured to favor functionality over security. Accordingly, teleworkers should 

consider disabling unneeded features and capabilities from applications, particularly those that are 

commonly exploited by malware. Teleworkers should also consider configuring applications to filter 

content and stop other activity that is likely to be malicious. Examples of application settings to consider 

are listed below. Teleworkers should be aware that a single PC might have multiple web browsers, email
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clients, instant messaging clients, and office productivity suites installed, each of which may have 

different features and configuration settings.19

Teleworkers should also consider their organization’s policies regarding application use. For example, 

many organizations forbid the use of peer-to-peer software and file sharing programs on organization 

computers because of the increased security risks associated with the software. Teleworkers should 

remove software that is forbidden by policy from their telework computers to better protect the 

organization’s information. In general, teleworkers should install and use only known and trusted 

software on their BYOD PCs.

5.5.1 Web Browsers

Teleworkers should consider adopting the following recommendations for the web browsers on their 

BYOD PCs:

 Use a different brand of web browser for telework. Multiple brands of web browsers (e.g., 

Microsoft Internet Explorer or Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Opera, etc.) can 

be installed on a single PC. Accessing websites containing malicious content is one of the most 

common ways for PCs to be attacked, such as spyware plug-ins being installed in a browser. To 

reduce the likelihood that such attacks could impact telework, teleworkers can use one brand of 

browser for telework only and another brand of browser for all other website access. This separates 

the telework-related data within one browser from the data within the other browser, providing better 

protection for the telework data (although this alone cannot adequately secure browser data). Having 

a separate brand of browser for telework also allows the teleworker to secure it more tightly. 

 Block popup windows. Web browsers support the use of popup windows, which are standalone web 

browser panes that open automatically when a web page is loaded or a user performs an action 

designed to trigger a popup window. Many popup windows contain advertising, but some are used to 

attack computers. Some popup windows are crafted to resemble legitimate system message boxes or 

websites and can trick users into going to phony websites, including sites used for phishing, or 

authorizing changes to their computers, among other malicious actions. For example, a popup 

window may tell a user that the computer is infected with spyware and to click on OK to disinfect it.

By clicking on OK, the user unwittingly permits spyware or other types of malware to be installed on 

the computer.

To control popup windows, teleworkers should either configure their web browsers to block them or 

use third-party popup blocking utilities that can block them. Both options prevent popup windows 

from opening and indicate to the teleworker that a popup window was blocked. If the teleworker did 

not want the window to be blocked, he or she could then choose to permit that particular popup 

window or all popup windows from a trusted website, such as the organization’s remote access 

website.

 Enable phishing filter capabilities. Most browsers can detect possible phishing attempts and warn 

the user before allowing the user to visit a suspected phishing site. Teleworkers should check their 

browser’s documentation to see if it offers a phishing filter, and if so, enable it.

 Remove unneeded browser plug-ins. A plug-in is a utility that works in conjunction with a web 

browser to enhance the browser’s capabilities. Most plug-ins are beneficial, but some plug-ins are 

malicious. Teleworkers should periodically review the plug-ins installed in their browsers and 

 19 Many manufacturers document their security recommendations in their product documentation or on their websites. Some 

manufacturers also make security checklists available for securing their operating systems, applications, and devices. Many 

of these checklists are posted on the NIST Security Checklists for IT Products site, located at http://checklists.nist.gov/. 
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uninstall all plug-ins that are unneeded or unknown to the teleworkers. If a necessary plug-in is 

accidentally uninstalled, the teleworker is usually prompted to download and install it the next time 

the teleworker accesses content that requires the plug-in.

 Protect sensitive information stored by the browser. Browsers may store sensitive information on 

behalf of users, such as cached website passwords, digital certificates, and encryption keys. Some 

browsers have options for strongly protecting this information. Typically, the browser requires a user 

to enter a master password, which is used solely to protect the sensitive information. Teleworkers 

should check their browser’s documentation to determine if it offers a protection option, and if so, 

enable it and set a master password.

 Prevent website passwords from being recalled automatically. Most browsers can save passwords 

that have been entered into websites. However, many browsers also offer auto-fill or auto-complete 

options that recall stored passwords and enter them into password text boxes automatically. This 

could allow someone else who accesses a telework device to gain access to various websites posing 

as the teleworker. To prevent this, teleworkers should configure their web browsers so that they do 

not use auto-fill or auto-complete functions for usernames and passwords.

 Run web browsers with the least privileges possible. Some web browsers can run in a mode that 

offers low privileges, which means that actions performed within the web browser can affect the 

computer in very limited ways. This helps prevent some attacks sent through web browsers from 

succeeding and limits the damage caused by attacks that do succeed. Teleworkers should run their 

web browsers with the least privileges possible.

 Use third-party security and privacy enhancing plug-ins. Such plug-ins can improve the security 

and privacy of telework in many ways, some of which are specific to a particular type of browser. 

Examples include preventing active content from running automatically within the web browser, 

stopping the use of tracking techniques across websites, and blocking advertising content from 

downloading to the browser.

5.5.2 Email Clients

Teleworkers should consider adopting the following recommendations for each email client on their 

BYOD PCs:

 Limit mobile code execution. Mobile code is a way for a remote computer, such as a website, to run 

programs on a teleworker’s device. Email messages can carry malicious mobile code that attempts to 

infect the device from which the messages are read. To prevent infections, most email clients can be 

configured to permit only the required forms of mobile code (e.g., JavaScript, ActiveX, Java, etc.).

Teleworkers should consider disabling mobile code support in their email clients, with the 

understanding that the full content of certain benign email messages might not be available.

 Set default message reading format and sending format to plain text. Many email clients allow 

users to specify the default format for reading and sending emails. The most commonly used formats 

are plain text and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Because malware, phishing, and other types 

of attacks often take advantage of features offered by HTML, it is preferable that the default message 

format be set to plain text. This will result in emails being displayed as text only, which means that 

pictures, hyperlinks, and other content provided through HTML would be omitted or displayed only 

through alternative text. Also, sending emails as plain text is helpful to other security-conscious users 

who prefer to read email messages in plain text.

 Disable automatic previewing and opening of email messages. Some email-based malware may be 

activated and infect a computer when the malicious email is previewed or opened. Many email clients 
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can be configured to preview or open email messages automatically. This can provide an easy way for 

malware to infect a computer. Accordingly, email clients should be configured not to preview or open 

email messages automatically. This gives teleworkers an opportunity to identify and delete an email

that appears to be suspicious, based on the sender, recipient, subject, and other identifying 

information that can be reviewed without viewing the entire email.

 Enable spam filtering. Section 5.4.3 has additional information concerning this issue.

5.5.3 Instant Messaging Clients

Teleworkers should consider adopting the following recommendations for each instant messaging client

on their BYOD PCs:

 Suppress the display of email addresses. If the teleworker’s displayed name or supporting 

information includes an email address, this may be harvested by malware or malicious users, then 

used in future attacks.

 Restrict file transfers. If the software can transfer files with other instant messaging users, it should 

be configured to prompt the teleworker before permitting a file transfer to begin. File transfers are a 

common way to transfer malware to other computers and infect them.

5.5.4 Office Productivity Suites

Teleworkers should consider adopting the following recommendations for each office productivity suite 

on their BYOD PCs:

 Restrict macro use. Applications such as word processors and spreadsheets often contain macro

languages that certain types of malware use. Most common applications with macro capabilities offer 

security features that permit macros only from trusted locations or prompt the user to approve or 

reject each attempt to run a macro. The prompting feature can be effective at stopping macro-based 

malware threats.

 Limit personal information. Many office productivity tools allow personal information, such as 

name, initials, mailing address, and phone number, to be stored with each document created.

Although the most basic information (typically, name and initials) are often needed for collaboration 

features and edit tracking, information such as mailing addresses and phone numbers is not. Personal 

information becomes embedded within document files and may inadvertently be distributed with files 

to others. Teleworkers should not enter any more personal information than necessary into the user 

settings of office productivity tools. For some word processors, teleworkers can use sanitization 

utilities that remove personal information from documents, as well as comments, tracked changes, 

and other information that might be embedded in documents but should not be part of the final 

document.

 Use secured folders for application files. Most office productivity applications allow users to define 

default locations for saving documents and holding temporary files, including auto-save and backup 

copies of documents. This can be very helpful at protecting application files from unauthorized access 

by others. Teleworkers should also store their custom dictionary entries in a user-specific file stored 

in one of their protected folders.

5.6 Remote Access Software Configuration

As described in Section 2, teleworkers may have to install remote access software onto their BYOD PCs 

or configure software built into the PC’s OS. This software should be configured based on the 
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organization’s requirements and recommendations. In many cases, the remote access software will be 

preconfigured by the organization so that teleworkers do not have to be concerned about configuring it. In 

general, remote access software should be configured so that only the necessary functions are enabled.

Teleworkers should also ensure that whenever updates to the remote access software are available, that 

they are acquired and installed. If the organization provides the updates, teleworkers should make sure 

that they will be notified when updates are available.

5.7 Security Maintenance and Monitoring

Teleworkers should maintain their BYOD PCs’ security on an ongoing basis. Common responsibilities 

are as follows:

 Confirming periodically that the OS and primary applications are up-to-date. Many software 

programs have a menu option or other mechanism that displays the update status, such as the number 

of updates that have not yet been applied or the most recent date the software was updated.

 Checking the status of security software periodically to ensure that it is still enabled, configured 

properly, and up-to-date. Some operating systems offer security dashboards that show the current 

status of the security software. Checking the software’s status should also include verifying that the 

regular scans performed by antivirus software have not found any infections on the PC. If an infection 

is still present, the teleworker should follow the antivirus software’s instructions for disinfecting the 

PC.

 Creating a new user account whenever another person needs to start using the PC, as well as disabling 

or deleting a user account whenever the associated person no longer needs to use the PC. All the user 

accounts should be reviewed periodically to ensure that only the necessary accounts are enabled.

 Changing the teleworker’s PC password regularly in accordance with the organization’s password 

policy.

 Periodically identifying security issues on the PC. Some OSs offer utilities that can be run to check 

the PC for potential problems. These utilities can identify missing software updates and incorrect 

security settings and can provide recommendations for fixing problems. However, understanding the 

reports that these utilities produce and properly implementing recommended solutions can require 

someone with considerable security expertise. Teleworkers without sufficient expertise should seek 

expert assistance before implementing any unclear recommendations.

Teleworkers also need to investigate any cases in which the PC begins to display unusual behavior.

Generally, the best first step is to ensure that the computer’s software (especially antivirus software) is 

fully up-to-date; then, the entire computer should be scanned using the antivirus software. If any malware 

is detected, it should be removed using the antivirus software; if no malware is detected, then the next 

step should be to reboot the computer, which clears many errors. If that is ineffective, then additional 

troubleshooting steps need to be performed. Examples are as follows:

 Checking antivirus manufacturer websites for instances of malware that cause the unusual behavior 

being seen,

 Uninstalling and reinstalling an application that is not functioning properly,

 Searching the OS manufacturer’s website for information on similar problems, and

 Using troubleshooting utilities that can provide insights into what is happening on the PC.
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If the problem still cannot be resolved, or the teleworker does not have sufficient knowledge to perform 

these troubleshooting steps, the teleworker should seek expert assistance, such as contacting the 

organization’s help desk if the organization provides support for BYOD PCs. Teleworkers can assist with 

troubleshooting by collecting and documenting information regarding the problems. Some OSs provide 

features that automate this process, and some PC manufacturers install utilities on their PCs designed 

specifically for this purpose. Teleworkers should consult the PC’s hardware and OS manuals for 

information regarding such features. Teleworkers also should preserve error messages by performing a 

screen capture, copying and pasting the error message into a file or email, or writing down the error

message verbatim on paper. (The appropriate technique should be selected based on the complexity of the 

error message and the PC’s support for performing screen captures, if any.)
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6. Securing BYOD Telework Mobile Devices

Teleworkers who use BYOD mobile devices for telework, particularly smartphones and tablets, should 

implement the recommendations presented in this section. Teleworkers who do not need to secure BYOD 

mobile devices can skip this section.

A wide variety of mobile devices exist, and the security features available for these devices also vary 

widely. Some devices offer only a few basic features, whereas others offer sophisticated features similar 

to those offered by PCs. This does not necessarily imply that more security features are better; in fact, 

many devices offer more security features because the capabilities they provide make them more 

susceptible to attack than devices without these capabilities. In general, mobile devices currently face 

fewer threats than PCs, but threats against mobile devices are increasing. The variety in security features 

makes it infeasible to create specific recommendations that apply to all mobile devices; therefore, 

teleworkers should consult the documentation provided by their device manufacturers and service 

providers (e.g., cellular service) and follow their security recommendations. General recommendations 

are as follows:

 Limit access to the device. Most mobile devices allow the owner to restrict access by setting a PIN 

or password; some also support more sophisticated authentication mechanisms, such as biometrics 

(e.g., the owner’s thumbprint). Using some sort of authenticator prevents or deters access to the 

teleworker’s information and service by a person who gains unauthorized physical access to the 

device. Some devices can also be configured to lock themselves automatically after an idle period; a 

person attempting to use the device when it is locked must authenticate again to unlock it.20 PINs and 

passwords should be changed periodically and whenever teleworkers suspect that someone else may 

know them. Each PIN or password should be unique and not used elsewhere, either currently or 

previously, to prevent a PIN or password from being compromised by someone and then used to gain 

access to additional devices, applications, websites, etc. 

 Disable necessary networking capabilities except when they are needed. Many mobile devices 

offer multiple types of networking capabilities, such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, and NFC.

21

Attackers can try to use these capabilities to access information on the device or use the device’s 

services. This can be prevented by disabling each networking capability that is not used, and by 

enabling necessary capabilities only when they are going to be used. For example, if a person only 

uses a Bluetooth earpiece occasionally with a smartphone, then the teleworker could enable the 

smartphone’s Bluetooth capability only when the teleworker wants to use the earpiece and disable it

when the teleworker is done with the earpiece. Each enabled networking capability increases the risk 

of successful attacks, so teleworkers should consider the relative risk of each form of networking 

before enabling it (for example, enabling Bluetooth in a crowded public area is generally riskier than 

enabling it in a private home).

 Keep devices updated. Most mobile devices can be updated or patched to eliminate known security 

flaws. Devices that support updating may do so directly (e.g., the teleworker selects an option on the 

device to get an update) or indirectly (e.g., the teleworker downloads a patch onto a PC, and then 

installs the patch onto the mobile device through a data cable connecting the two). If a device does 

support updating, teleworkers should follow the provided instructions to ensure that security updates 

 20 Some devices can be configured to wipe themselves after a certain number of failed authentication attempts. If this feature is 

enabled, teleworkers should maintain current backups of the information on the device so that it can be restored if excessive

authentication attempts cause the device to be wiped. 21 In addition, some devices can accept third-party networking cards to provide additional networking capabilities. Consult the 

cards’ documentation as well and remove or disable the cards if they are not needed.
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are identified, acquired, and installed regularly, at least weekly. See Section 5.1 for information on 

acquiring updates through metered networks.

 Configure applications to support security. Many applications on mobile devices, such as web 

browsers, are often configured by default to favor functionality over security. Accordingly, 

teleworkers should consider disabling unneeded application features and configuring applications to 

stop or block activity that is likely to be malicious. Section 5.5 provides configuration 

recommendations for web browsers, email clients, and instant messaging clients on personal 

computers; these recommendations should also be applied to mobile devices to the extent possible.

 Download and run apps only from authorized app stores. Teleworkers should be cautious about 

downloading and installing software that is not being provided by either the organization or the 

device’s manufacturer. An example is downloading games from an unfamiliar website. Such software 

could reduce the security of the device if the software is not configured properly, or the software itself 

could contain malware that would infect the device. The software could also inadvertently disrupt 

other applications, including security software.

 Do not jailbreak or root the device. Doing so disables the manufacturer’s built-in security 

capabilities for the device. This makes the device’s use so risky that many organizations 

automatically check mobile devices attempting to access their networks and services for signs of 

jailbreaking or rooting, and they deny any access to such devices.

 Do not connect the device to an unknown charging station. Many charging stations enable people 

to recharge their mobile devices through direct wired connections between a device’s USB interface

and the charging station. Unfortunately, someone may have altered a charging station, such as one in 

a public area, so that it attempts to automatically gain unauthorized access to the data, applications, 

services, and other resources on mobile devices that attach to it.

 Use an isolated, protected, and encrypted environment that is supported and managed by the 

organization to access the organization’s data and services. If such an environment is available, it 

is generally automatically generated and maintained on mobile devices so that teleworkers don’t need 

to act. The environment isolates the organization’s stored data, applications, and other files on the 

mobile device so that the organization can maintain control over them without having any access to 

the teleworker’s personal information, files, etc. on the same mobile device.

Teleworkers should be cautious about connecting mobile devices to other computers, such as 

synchronizing data between a smartphone and a PC. Malware could be transmitted from one device to 

another during a synchronization. Also, a synchronization could inadvertently cause sensitive information 

to be transferred from one device to another, and the second device might not be configured to provide 

adequate protection to that information, putting it at higher risk of exposure. Before connecting a mobile

device to another computer, teleworkers should ensure that the mobile device and the computer to which 

it will be attached have both been properly secured.
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7. Considering the Security of Third-Party Devices

Teleworkers sometimes want to perform remote access from devices owned by third parties, such as 

checking email from a kiosk computer at a conference. However, when a third party is responsible for 

securing a device, teleworkers typically do not know if it has been secured properly. Consequently, a 

teleworker could perform remote access from a compromised device—for example, one infected with 

malware intended to steal information from users, such as their passwords or email messages.

Many organizations either prohibit third-party devices from being used for remote access or permit only 

limited use, such as for webmail. If an organization permits the use of third-party devices for telework, 

teleworkers should think about the environment of a third-party device before deciding whether or not to 

use it. There is generally more risk in using third-party BYOD devices than in using teleworker-owned 

BYOD devices because of uncertainty as to how the third-party devices have been secured; however, 

some third-party devices are reasonably secured. Teleworkers should consider who is responsible for 

securing a third-party device and who can access the device. For example, a kiosk provided at a 

conference for attendees only is more likely to be reasonably secure than a kiosk in a hotel lobby 

available to the general public. Whenever possible, teleworkers should not use publicly accessible devices

for telework, including remote access to email and other applications.

Teleworkers should avoid using any third-party devices for performing sensitive functions or accessing 

sensitive information. If a teleworker is not reasonably confident of the security of a third-party device, 

the teleworker should be cautious and avoid using it. Many teleworkers choose not to use any third partysecured devices for remote access because of security concerns.
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Appendix A—Additional Security Considerations for Telework

In addition to securing telework devices and home networks, there are additional security-related 

considerations for telework. For example, teleworkers should consider the relative security of phone 

services, such as cordless phones, cellular phones, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

Other possible security concerns include the use of wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies, 

such as Bluetooth; use of wireless broadband network technologies; and secure destruction of removable 

media, printed materials, and other forms of media that may contain sensitive information. This appendix 

provides recommendations for each topic.

A.1 Phone Services

Depending on the sensitivity of telework communications, telephone security may be a consideration. The 

various choices for telephones and telephone services span a wide spectrum of privacy capabilities. At the 

low end are older cordless phones, whose calls may be picked up by walkie-talkies, baby monitors, and 

radio scanners; at the high end are corded phones. The most commonly used options are summarized 

below.

 Corded phones using traditional wired telephone networks. Physical connections are required to 

intercept communications involving traditional corded telephones that use wired telephone networks, 

so they are sufficiently secure for typical telework. Security for corded phones used with VoIP 

networks is described below.

 Cordless phones using traditional wired telephone networks. Cordless phone communications can 

be intercepted by eavesdroppers within physical proximity of the phone, often a few hundred yards at 

most. Cordless phones used for telework should employ spread spectrum technology, which uses a 

rapidly changing set of frequencies to scramble transmissions, thus reducing the risk of

eavesdropping. Security for cordless phones used with VoIP networks is described below.

 Cellular phones. Cellular network transmissions are scrambled to deter eavesdropping, so their use 

should be acceptable for typical telework.

 Voice over IP. There are many services that offer phone service over the Internet. Known as VoIP, 

the services convert speech to Internet messages and transmit them to a facility that interfaces with 

the telephone network. The party on the other end can be using any type of phone service, not just 

VoIP. From a security standpoint, this type of connection may be susceptible to eavesdropping 

because it may be carried over the local network and the Internet. Because of the potential for 

vulnerabilities in one or more of these networks, communications carried over VoIP should not be 

considered secure unless encryption is used. Many VoIP services provide strong encryption, so 

teleworkers interested in using VoIP for telework discussions involving sensitive or proprietary 

information should first check with the VoIP provider to see if communications are encrypted and if 

this encryption meets federal agency requirements.

A.2 WPAN Technologies

WPANs are small-scale wireless networks that require no infrastructure to operate. A WPAN is typically 

used by a few devices in a single room to communicate without the need to physically connect devices 

with cables. Examples include using a wireless keyboard or mouse with a computer, printing wirelessly, 

synchronizing a smartphone with a laptop, and allowing a wireless headset or earpiece to be used with a 

cell phone. The most commonly used type of technologies for WPANs is Bluetooth. Bluetooth does not 

require an unobstructed line of sight between the two devices using it. Bluetooth devices can be up to 100 

meters (approximately 328 feet) apart, depending on output power.
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As Sections 5 and 6 mention, teleworkers should disable Bluetooth when it is not in use. In addition, 

Bluetooth users should use a PIN that is at least eight characters long, preferably one that includes letters 

and digits. This makes it more difficult for an attacker to guess the PIN and gain access to the Bluetooth 

devices. For Bluetooth devices that do not support the use of long PINs (some permit only four-digit 

PINs), teleworkers should choose hard-to-guess PINs. Teleworkers should also configure their Bluetooth 

devices to encrypt their communications, if the devices support it; the devices’ documentation should 

provide the necessary information on configuring encryption capabilities. 

A.3 Wireless Broadband Data Network Technologies

Wireless broadband data networks are a form of mobile networking for PCs. This technology allows a PC 

to have wireless access to the Internet from nearly any location. Because of the nature of cellular 

communications, it is much more difficult for an attacker to eavesdrop on wireless broadband networks 

than WLANs, but it is still possible. Therefore, teleworkers should assume that wireless broadband 

communications are not sufficiently secure for transmitting sensitive information. Teleworkers should 

consult with their organization to determine what protection the organization’s remote access solution 

provides before using wireless broadband to send or receive sensitive information.

A.4 Information Destruction

When a teleworker-owned computer is no longer going to be used, it should be prepared for retirement.

The computer’s built-in storage devices, such as hard drives, often contain information that teleworkers 

might not want others to see, including their organizations’ files and their personal information, such as 

files from tax return software. Even if the teleworker deletes all of the files from the computer, curious 

people who get access to the computer might be able to recover the files using free or inexpensive 

software utilities specifically designed to recover deleted files. Accordingly, teleworkers should ensure 

that all data on their computers’ built-in storage devices is wiped out before donating, selling, or 

discarding a computer. Methods of performing these actions are as follows:

 Use a third-party disk scrubbing utility. Several commercial and open source software products are 

available that are specially designed to remove traces of data from computers. Follow the 

manufacturer directions for removing data from the hard drive.

 Retain the hard drive. Following the instructions in the computer manufacturer’s documentation, a 

teleworker can remove the hard drive from the computer. If other people want to use the computer in 

the future, they can purchase a new hard drive and install an OS onto the computer. This is the best 

option if the computer is no longer functioning properly, preventing the use of disk scrubbing 

utilities.

 Destroy the hard drive. Hard drives can be degaussed, which involves applying a magnetic field to 

the drive that makes it unusable. Hard drives can also be shredded or otherwise physically destroyed 

through specialized equipment and services.

Teleworkers also need to ensure that removable media, printed materials, and other forms of media that 

may contain sensitive information are also destroyed. Many organizations provide information destruction 

services for their teleworkers, such as scrubbing or destroying hard drives and shredding removable 

media and printed materials.

Data scrubbing for BYOD devices can be problematic because the devices are used for both personal and 

work purposes, and it may be necessary to scrub the telework data without affecting the personal data. 

Selective data scrubbing can be performed through enterprise mobile device management software (for 
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mobile devices) and specialized utilities. Teleworkers should consult with their organization about the 

organization’s options for scrubbing BYOD device data.
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Appendix B—Glossary

Selected terms used in the publication are defined below.

Administrative Account: A user account with full privileges on a computer. Such an account is intended 

to be used only when performing personal computer (PC) management tasks, such as installing updates 

and application software, managing user accounts, and modifying operating system (OS) and application 

settings.

Blacklist: A list of email senders who have previously sent spam to a user.

Content Filtering: The process of monitoring communications such as email and web pages, analyzing 

them for suspicious content, and preventing the delivery of suspicious content to users.

Daily Use Account: See Standard User Account.

Disinfect: To remove malware from within a file.

Malicious Code: See Malware.

Malware: A computer program that is covertly placed onto a computer with the intent of compromising

the privacy, accuracy, or reliability of the computer’s data, applications, or OS.

Mobile Device: A small mobile computer such as a smartphone or tablet.

Personal Computer (PC): A desktop or laptop computer.

Personal Firewall: A software program that monitors communications between a computer and other 

computers and blocks communications that are unwanted.

Phishing: Deceptive computer-based means to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive personal 

information.

Popup Window: A standalone web browser pane that opens automatically when a web page is loaded or 

a user performs an action designed to trigger a popup window.

Quarantine: To store files containing malware in isolation for future disinfection or examination.

Remote Access: The ability for an organization’s users to access its non-public computing resources from 

external locations other than the organization’s facilities.

Remote System Control: Remotely using a computer at an organization from a telework computer.

Security Controls: See Security Protections.

Security Protections: Measures against threats that are intended to compensate for a computer’s security 

weaknesses.

Service Set Identifier (SSID): A name assigned to a wireless AP.
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Social Engineering: A general term for attackers trying to trick people into revealing sensitive 

information or performing certain actions, such as downloading and executing files that appear to be 

benign but are actually malicious.

Standard User Account: A user account with limited privileges that will be used for general tasks such 

as reading email and surfing the web.

Telecommuting: See Telework.

Telework: The ability for an organization’s employees, contractors, business partners, vendors, and other 

users to perform work from locations other than the organization’s facilities.

Telework Device: A PC or mobile device used by a teleworker for performing telework.

Virtual Private Network (VPN): A tunnel that connects the teleworker’s computer to the organization’s 

network.

Vulnerability: A security weakness in a computer.

Whitelist: A list of email senders known to be benign, such as a user’s coworkers, friends, and family.
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Appendix C—Acronyms and Abbreviations

Acronyms and abbreviations used in this guide are defined below.

AES Advanced Encryption Standard

AP Access Point

BIOS Basic Input/Output System

FIPS Federal Information Processing Standards

FISMA Federal Information Security Management Act

FTP File Transfer Protocol

HTML Hypertext Markup Language

HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

IP Internet Protocol

IPsec Internet Protocol Security

ISP Internet Service Provider

IT Information Technology

ITL Information Technology Laboratory

MAC Media Access Control

NAT Network Address Translation

NFC Near Field Communication

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

OMB Office of Management and Budget

OS Operating System

PC Personal Computer

PII Personally Identifiable Information

PIN Personal Identification Number

PIV Personal Identity Verification

SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

SSID Service Set Identifier

SSL Secure Sockets Layer

TKIP Temporal Key Integrity Protocol

VDI Virutal Desktop Infrastructure

VMI Virtual Mobile Infrastructure

VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol

VPN Virtual Private Network

WEP Wired Equivalent Privacy

WPA Wi-Fi Protected Access

WPAN Wireless Personal Area Network
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Appendix D—Resources

The lists below provide examples of resources that might be helpful in securing devices used for 

telework.

Resource Sites

Site Name URL

National Checklist Program Repository http://checklists.nist.gov/

Safety & Security Center http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx

StaySafeOnline.org http://www.staysafeonline.org/ 

telework.gov http://www.telework.gov/

Documents

Document Title URL

Best Practices for Keeping Your Home Network 

Secure

https://www.nsa.gov/ia/_files/factsheets/I43V_Slick_Sheets/

Slicksheet_BestPracticesForKeepingYourHomeNetworkSec

ure.pdf

NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-46 Revision 2, 

Guide to Enterprise Telework, Remote Access, and 

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Security

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-46r2

NIST SP 800-111, Guide to Storage Encryption 

Technologies for End User Devices

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-111

NIST SP 800-121 Revision 1, Guide to Bluetooth 

Security

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-121r1

NIST SP 800-124 Revision 1, Guidelines for 

Managing the Security of Mobile Devices in the 

Enterprise

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-124r1

NIST SP 800-153, Guidelines for Securing Wireless 

Local Area Networks (WLANs)

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-153