Device Sharing threats

Device sharing is when a company endpoint is accessed by an unauthorized user. Device sharing doesn’t always occur because of malicious incentives, such as fraud. It often takes place in innocent or careless situations, like when an employee lends their work computer to a family member.

What are the device sharing threats in a remote or hybrid workforce environment?

Device sharing threats in a remote or hybrid workforce environment can be more prevalent since employees may interact differently and less securely with their devices outside the office. Devices that were previously dedicated to handling customer information and drafting business reports may also be used by family members, roommates, or friends for personal tasks like entertainment, education, and social networking.

But, when family members get access to an employee’s work computer, the employee no longer has full control and oversight over what is uploaded, downloaded, or modified on the company computer. When you consider the added risks of browsing insecure sites, clicking phishing links in personal emails, or following suspicious URLs on social media, it’s easy to see how these risks can quickly spiral out of control and threaten the security of data that lives on company endpoints.

Continuous authentication solutions like TypingDNA ActiveLock help prevent unauthorized use and device sharing on company endpoints. ActiveLock continuously authenticates employees based on how they type on their device. This way, even if login credentials are compromised, or a device is left unlocked and unattended, ActiveLock provides a continuous layer of identity verification and can lock the device and/or trigger an alert when an unauthorized user is detected.