Working from home is one of the most effective ways of reducing exposure to Omicron, as it limits face-to-face contact, both with colleagues and people on public transport. Large tech companies, such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft, were among the first to adopt remote work plans for many or all of the employees. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, very few people had access to a flexible workplace. Now, it’s a completely different story. A significant percentage of the workforce is working remotely through 2022. 

Technology enables the work-from-home transition. There are lots of different types of work-from-home workers, but everyone has to battle technology to do the job. Telecommuting is challenging, particularly for younger workers. If you’re just starting out, there are some things you need to know. You don’t have to be a tech wizard to thrive in a virtual environment. In this respect, here are some helpful tips to help you succeed when working from home. 

Use Cloud-Based Storage to Keep Data Safe and Secure

Given the impossibility of accessing hard-copy resources, more and more organizations are using cloud storage. Cloud storage can address the needs of both businesses and individuals. It’s affordable, convenient, and more secure as compared to keeping files on a PC or laptop. If you don’t want to risk losing important data, store them in the cloud. You have access to all the information regardless of location. If you have a Google account, then you already have 15 GB of free storage available. You can back up documents, photos, videos, and so on. 

Since the data is stored in the cloud, you can work from anywhere, on any device. All you need is a stable Internet connection. What is more, you can create your own work schedule, which wouldn’t be possible without the cloud. Digital files are edited in a single version, so it’s updated immediately to keep changes organized. When you want to work from home, you want as fewer interruptions as possible. 

Try A Different App for Meetings

Apps for meetings aren’t just tools; they’re an essential part of the modern office. If you currently use Microsoft Teams for chat, you might want to try a different app for your virtual get-togethers. Like Slack. It’s a messaging app that ensures a seamless transition from a chat to a video call to connect to anyone in the workplace. Slack is best for short, quick calls with a bunch of people. Calls don’t have their own text chat, so you don’t lose notes in conversations once a call is over. 

Slack’s screen share function eliminates misunderstandings. If you use multiple monitors, select which screen you want to share. Within the workspace, conversations are organized into dedicated channels. You can invite people from outside the company to collaborate on any given channel. Good naming helps people find what they’re looking for, so don’t overwhelm users. Make use of prefixes like #company, #team, #proj, or #fun. 

Update Your Antivirus

No matter if you work on a company-supplied laptop or your personal computer, you need antivirus protection. You’re vulnerable to cyber-attacks such as ransomware, DDoS attacks, malware, spyware, and other types of security breaches. If you don’t constantly update the antivirus software, you’re not fully protected. The next time you see an update notification, don’t ignore it. An antivirus update contains the files necessary to combat new viruses and protect your computer. Signature files are released daily, sometimes more often. 

To update the antivirus software, select the antivirus icon on your desktop and double-click on it. A window will open right away, giving way to the dashboard details. Click on the Update button, which will show information concerning your antivirus. In the automatic mode, the antivirus updates by itself when connected to the Internet. Your computer will be protected from new cyber threats. If you delay updating the antivirus, your computer will be infected, and you’ll end up paying a high amount for unlocking it. 

Educate Yourself About Useful Office Software

New programs are coming up to help us in whatever work we do. Microsoft Office is the perfect example. The suite of applications can help with productivity and completing common tasks. For instance, you can create and edit documents containing text and image, work with data in spreadsheets, and create eye-catching presentations. More often than not, you’ll have to deal with documents in PDF format. Having a handy PDF editor is essential on a daily basis. There are apps that make it easy to edit the text in a PDF on a Windows or Mac computer. If you’re looking for a PDF editor for Mac, PDFChef is a good choice. 

You probably need to change your screen brightness regularly. When it’s sunny outside, you turn it up so that you can see. When you’re in a dark room, you dim the brightness so it doesn’t hurt your eyes. You could use a program like f.lux. It automatically adjusts display colors, close to the lighting conditions, offering a functional respite for the eyes. Last but not least, consider using Evernote. The note-taking software helps create and organize digital notes. 

Use Headphones with A Microphone

By wearing headsets with a microphone, you make sure that you’re heard loud and clear, even in a busy environment (kids or roommates). There’s a great deal of choice out there when it comes to business headsets, which means that you’re spoiled for choice. It doesn’t matter if you need to take calls or block out distracting noise, a good pair of headphones is a good investment. Over-ear headphones provide better audio quality and noise isolation. The mic picks up and isolates your voice, so you don’t have to raise your voice while talking to colleagues or managers. 

It’s not a good idea to blend personal stuff with work stuff. Working from home makes it hard to tell when work ends and life begins. Nevertheless, you have to make an effort. All in all, don’t let family members use your computer. They could cause issues or embarrassing moments, unintentionally, of course.