Anyone who’s freelanced as a designer knows that the job demands far more than churning out logos or putting together coherent website assets. Unlike their in-house peers, freelance designers entrusted with sensitive client data are solely responsible for its integrity and safety. Sadly, some falter in their responsibilities.
So, what are the most common cybersecurity blunders freelance designers commit? More importantly, how can you avoid doing the same? Here’s everything you should know.
Weak and Reused Passwords
Design alone already depends on a swath of apps and services, and the freelance aspect adds even more. Irresponsible freelancers figure they have better things to do than juggle unique passwords for all of these, so they either use simple ones or a few variations. This not only makes the passwords easier to hack, it also means one breach potentially exposes dozens of other logins.
All of this can be avoided by using a password manager. The manager creates long, unique passwords and stores them inside an encrypted vault that only the freelancer has access to. As extra protection, it’s also a good idea to secure every account with multi-factor authentication.
Unsafe File Sharing
A lot of back and forth with clients is inevitable, so freelance designers often choose expediency over safety when sharing files. They may use untrustworthy file-sharing platforms and public links or forget to revoke access. All of this puts shared files and their contents at risk from leaks.
Responsible file sharing involves using reputable services and making sure that only the client can access shared files. Even then, each link should have an expiration date for extra resilience.
Lack of Data Backups
Since so much design work has shifted to cloud environments, it’s not uncommon for freelancers to just save a copy of their work to Google Drive and call it a day. Only one file copy is none, regardless of where it is stored. Even having another copy on one’s laptop isn’t enough since it can malfunction or be stolen.
The safest way to have actual backups, not just copies, is to follow the 3-2-1 rule. That means three copies in total, two types of storage medium, and one off-site backup. Cloud and local storage satisfy two, so all that’s left is to create another copy on a separate hard drive without online access.
Irresponsible Use of Public Wi-Fi
An underrated freelancer perk is being able to take inspiration from anywhere and then design on the spot. Doing so may involve going online, usually via public Wi-Fi you’d use in a café, library, etc. These networks have few protections and might be monitored. Worse yet, freelancers might connect to duplicate networks that direct them to fake websites designed to steal their credentials, documents, and personal info.
The risk becomes considerably lower when using the best VPNs that are reliable. A VPN encrypts the entire connection, which prevents snooping, session hijacking, file capture, and other malicious activities.
Not Securing Devices and Home Networks
Even when designing from home, freelancers have a responsibility to keep sensitive files and client information safe.
Device-wise, that means keeping the OS and software updated, encrypting sensitive files while at rest, and regularly scanning for malware. Home network protection can be strengthened by changing the router’s default password and using a firewall to block unwanted incoming traffic.
Not Having a Dedicated Work Environment
The vast majority of freelance designers work on personal devices. While there’s nothing wrong with that, doing so irresponsibly makes it harder to secure work-related files and increases the risk of leaks.
Ideally, freelancers should have separate devices for work and personal use. Since that’s often not feasible, a valid alternative is to set up separate OS profiles and browsers to keep work-related content separate, organized, and protected.
A dedicated work environment also extends to networks. Not all of them are safe or reliable enough to get work done. To stay smoothly connected on the road is achievable with a global eSIM rather than hunting for local ones at every stop. Providers that bundle security tools alongside data are worth considering, deals like the Saily Ultra plan include a VPN and a password manager as part of the package.
Falling for Scams
Networking is fundamental to getting steady freelance design work. Since their socials are public and their email gets around, freelancers are at greater risk of becoming scam targets. For example, they might get an email from someone claiming to be a prospective client, which includes links to harmful websites or a malware attachment disguised as a brief.
Being cautious is a must. It includes verifying the sender is who they claim they are and following up through a different communication channel if the freelancer suspects foul play.