You want to eliminate the business laptops you need to maintain at work. And to start using your laptop at home. Because you have spent so many hours on your work laptop, you don’t want to lose any of those hours. You also don’t want to lose the contacts you made at work. And there’s a lot of confidential information on that laptop.
In this article, I would like to reveal 21 steps you can take to convert your work laptop to a personal laptop completely. And I would like to give you some helpful tips to keep your work laptop secure. you wanna know what are the best picks for pro tool. If so checkout this post on the best laptops for pro tools.
1) Disable Your Windows Defender
One of the first steps of getting rid of a virus is to disable extra Windows Defender. These extra security programs may slow down your computer because it scans your files every time you boot up. It also tends to alert you when new viruses are lurking on the internet when you are working for a company where you need many antiviruses to protect your confidential data. But if you’re working for yourself, you don’t have extra security protection.
The built-in windows defender is enough for your personal security. Ok, now you have to disable the extra antivirus protection. And you’re wondering how to enable the built-in windows defender. Enabling windows defender will be great for the browser that ensures you’re using a secure browser. This built-in window defender will also protect from ransomware, other malware, and spyware.
2) Use TrueCrypt to Encrypt Data
TrueCrypt is a free tool that encrypts drives, partitions, and folders. You need to be running Windows 7 or 8 to use it. There are no prerequisites, no installation process, or software to purchase. You only need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space. To encrypt data, plug the drive into any computer running Windows 7 or 8, launch TrueCrypt, and start typing the encrypted file’s name. It will automatically open, and you can begin working on it immediately.
Using a strong encryption tool is necessary for securing sensitive data. If you’re storing credit card numbers or Social Security Numbers, you should look into TrueCrypt. TrueCrypt is a free, open-source software application that creates virtual encrypted disks. Encrypting a file becomes unreadable by anyone except the person who knows the encryption key or password. It will be impossible for a hacker or thief to steal your information without the proper authorization. checkout the best laptops for xactimate.
3) Disable the Windows Firewall
There are two ways to get around a Windows Firewall: allow all incoming connections (which would allow for any incoming network traffic) or only allow certain IP addresses or protocols to access the internet. The first option allows for a high level of security but comes with a lot of hassle. For the second option, you can turn off Windows Firewall completely. But suppose you’re using Windows Vista or higher. In that case, you need to know that you will lose connectivity to some sites (like Facebook) .donot disable the windows firewall if you’re using your home internet connection.
I knew that your work laptops have a lot of security measures in place to protect your company data. A firewall prevents your data from getting hacked remotely if you use a public wireless internet connection or computer that people access easily. Hence, we recommend you disable a Windows firewall.
4) Use the Portable Applications
Using third-party applications is a great thing to do because there is no restriction on your laptops. And why don’t you use it for installing the third-party application? You can save lots of time by not installing the application later. All you need is the portable version of your favourite app in the USB drive or network-attached storage, and then use it directly from there. Having all your favourite third-party applications on one location rather than different drives on the system is good.
5) Disable Windows Updates
When you are in the company, you always keep your windows up to date because of the security updates. Yup, it was important when you were in the company. But it is not important after leaving the company. Disable Windows updates so you don’t waste your time installing all the updates after every month or a week. You can update all your windows updates whenever you have time later.
6) Use Virtual Machines
A virtual machine is a software application (or operating system) that allows you to run multiple operating systems on the same computer. A virtual machine doesn’t need access to the physical hardware to run. It doesn’t even run on your physical computer hardware but on software code running on another operating system that has been designed to run like a traditional operating system on a real machine.
There are dozens of free tools you can download from your browser, which allow you to run your virtual machines on your computer. We recommend you download the VirtualBox. VirtualBox is free to download and create a different version of the windows os. which you can use for your personal use. your wondering for the best laptops for AutoCAD. checkout this post on best laptops for AutoCAD.
7) Use BitLocker to Secure Data
When you use BitLocker to encrypt data on a computer, you are protecting that data from being accessed even if someone gains access to the computer or the computer’s hard drive. BitLocker uses a password that only you know to protect your files and folders from being viewed.
Suppose you lose control of the computer, even if the computer is turned off. In that case, you must turn on the computer and enter the BitLocker password to ensure the contents are not revealed to unauthorized viewers. You can even use BitLocker for removable devices like USB thumb drives. You can also use a USB pen drive to store the recovery key in case your hard drive is stolen or corrupted.
8) Use Portable Application for Encryption
While using TrueCrypt is a good way of protecting sensitive data, it isn’t as easy to use as apps you’d be used to. Therefore, you can use third-party encryption software to encrypt any data on your work laptop very easily before sending it home or shipping it to someone else.
This program is almost identical to TrueCrypt. It uses different methods to secure your data.1. Download your encryption software and store it on a USB drive or email it to yourself. Use the encrypted files later. When you get home from work, install the app on your laptop and use the encrypted files directly from there without having to decrypt them again. if your worrying about how you disable fn key on your lenovo ThinkPad. then checkout this post right now how to disable fn key on lenovo thinkpad.
9) Use Steganography Software
Use steganography software to encrypt your photography so no one can detect your photograph with the help of this software. One can steal your private photograph. This software will hide your photograph from someone trying to snoop on your personal life. Download the steganography software and encrypt your photo when required. Create the encrypted files from those pictures, send them to your email, store them on the USB drive, and use them on your personal laptop.
10) Use Self-Destructing Message Apps
Using self-destructing message apps is another great way to secure your work data. Just download any self-destructing message apps from the InternetInternet and set the time and date the message is automatically destroyed. a date that you set. You can use the USB drive to store all of your work data. And use it whenever you want. You can send it across one you want to send by encrypting it with steganography software. We have already discussed the steganography software above.
11) Use Cached Data on Your Personal Laptop
While working on the company laptop, we recommend you keep installing the third-party tools on your personal laptop. You can use a third party for company work. When you get back home after performing any task, close the app by going to its respective native mode. Next time you boot up your laptop with your installed app, it will take a while to launch the app. it is already cached on your laptop.
12) Create a Separate User Account
Creating a separate account can be helpful for people who have multiple online profiles and don’t want to share their email addresses and personal information across accounts. You can choose a separate email address and then use that for your business email and all other emails. This can help keep your personal and professional lives separate. You can also use a unique username and password.
Creating a separate user account is not compulsory, but you can create a user account and log in where security is important. And you can use the password whatever you want and use the sign-in method that is available to you whenever you want to switch to your main account whenever you want. Your personal/private activities will be hidden from your main account.
13) Use Virtual Machines for Personal Activities
When it comes to virtual machines, we’re talking about both virtualization software and hypervisors. These technologies allow one computer to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. Using virtual machines is not a bad idea to protect your personal activities.
Virtual machines can use the two operating systems on one computer. Yes, you heard right. Let me give you an example of using Windows 10 professional on your main work laptop. On the other hand, you can create another virtual machine for other versions like Windows 8 Professional and Windows 7 etc.
14) Use Quick Boot Updater to Disable Fast Startup
Suppose you have an option to disable the quick boot-up if you disable these features. It will save you a lot of time to switch between a personal laptop and a work laptop. Many manufacturers implement these features to boot up fast at times. These features will help you boot up faster than usual, even if you log in to your main account. This may leak your personal activities to your boss or IT manager. They can easily hack your private activities on your laptop. to prevent your personal activities by disabling these features on at least your dual account on your same laptop.
15) Change Work Profile to a Guest Mode
Changing your work profile to a guest mode is another great process to protect your personal laptop data from the IT department. When you get access to your work profile, you can use these three methods to protect your hidden data. First, go to the installation directory of the guest account and delete all the previous data from there. And the second step is to install the virtual machines and run Windows XP or Windows 7, configuring that account as a guest account. After this process, your personal/private activities will be hidden from your main account.
16) Create a New Theme for the Guest Account
Yes, you can create a new theme for the guest account. Changing the theme is great if you change the theme of your guest account. You won’t feel bored. If you are wondering, you can go beyond this tutorial by searching online on Google or another web browser. You can search for how to change the wallpaper/theme on windows XP or windows 7 using the third-party application.
17) Password Protect Folders and Files with Steganography App
You have a folder on your computer that you want to protect from prying eyes. You can use a password or a PIN to lock the folder, which is inconvenient and time-consuming. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can use the built-in security system to lock the folder, but it’s not very convenient.
A better solution would be hiding a message in a file or folder. When you open the file or folder, the message will appear. This way, you don’t need to remember a password or PIN, and you can easily access the file or folder when you need it.
This will be done by steganography application. If you don’t know what steganography is, you can search it online and learn about it. Now you’re able to protect your data from getting hacked. When someone tries to access your hidden data, they will be prompted for a password, while the other folder will remain unaffected.
18) Password Protect USB Flash Drives for Personal Files
Protecting your USB flash drive with password protection. This way, one can access your flash drive without knowing the password. one of the important things the employee forgets to do. Is that if there is someone who has physical access to your computer, he can recover your private files without needing to know about the names of the files as long as you haven’t encrypted them on your own.
19) Open Private Browsing Window For Privacy on Shared Computers
Yes, using the private browser window on a public computer is a good way to protect your privacy. Open up the Firefox, Opera, or another web browser and switch to the private browsing mode. And open up another new browser window for your personal activities. After this process, no one else can access what websites you were browsing or see your personal document. This might be helpful for you to protect your personal activities.
20) Turn On File and Printer Sharing
Preventing other people from accessing your personal files works only when you are the only person left in the office or are using a public computer. Encryption of all Internet traffic will only help secure your wireless networks. File sharing should be turned on so that everything transferred over the wireless network is encrypted by default.
This setting is easy to activate and requires only that you select the Network and Internet option from the Control Panel and click Activate to turn on the feature. In Windows 7, when you’re connected to a wireless network, you might have to first go to Network Connections and then click on Wireless Network Connection. Now, a window will pop up asking you whether or not file-sharing should be allowed or not.
If your device doesn’t appear in the list of devices, ensure that your wireless network is enabled and you are connected. This will securely encrypt your data before sending it over the network and ensure that no one else can intercept it using a different encryption key.
21) Set Up VPN Connection for Online Banking and Shopping
Setting up the VPN connection is another good way to protect your privacy. You can set up a VPN connection very easily. for setting up a VPN, you have to set up a VPN connection by signing in with your credentials. Secondly, you must use your favourite bank’s e-commerce website’s IP address as your destination. Now you can comfortably enter your login detail and other important information before making a transaction.
conclusion | How to Convert Work Laptop to Personal (detailed Guide)
If you follow these 21 steps, I’m sure you won’t get the problem of converting your work laptop to a personal one. This was the article on how to convert work laptop to personal. Thanks for reading this article. If you have any queries on how to convert work laptop to personal, feel free to comment below in the comment section.
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