If your company provided you with a laptop or a computer, you must think that this is an awesome thing. It is a free item for you, which will additionally provide you with a possibility to work anytime. When you get a laptop, you will immediately start personalizing it – starting from the background, screen saver, usernames, and passwords, etc. Still, you should be very careful with this. Cyber security experts say that you shouldn’t merge your personal and professional lives together and that it would be a very risky thing to do, both for you and for your job.

Here are six things you should never do on your work computer in order to save your privacy.

 Saving your personal data in your work device keychain

You might be working on your device even more than eight hours a day. This device is so close to you that it actually becomes your primary device, often more used that any other device. Thus, it is so simple to save passwords in order to simplify your life. But, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) say that many companies have a clause which makes storing personal passwords a potentially dangerous move. This basically means that if you save your password on the laptop, it might easily become a property of the company. You should be informed about this clause before saving any passwords on the work computer.

 Accessing free public Wi-Fi network while working on sensitive material

Many of us work remotely and enjoy this advantage everywhere. But, we should be very careful! Before you connect to the closest Wi-Fi in a coffee shop or the airport, you should know that many of these networks can actually harm you. Fraud expert, Frank Abagnale says that you shouldn’t access your email, bank or similar accounts when on public Wi-Fi. This way you won’t be opened to a fraud and no one won’t be able to pick up your passwords and trick you.

“Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.” —Joseph Campbell

 Allowing your friends or colleagues to access your work computer

Remote access software is easily accessible today. You wouldn’t normally let your friend walk into your office and log on your computer, so this is the thing you shouldn’t let them do remotely either. Even if your friends are confident and won’t do you harm, work computer is a thing that should be kept away from others.

 Storing your personal data on your work computer

You may be tempted to create a folder on the desktop and name it “personal.” However, we must say that this is not a smart thing to do after all. You may want to save your family’s photos and videos, but remember that a work computer isn’t a good place for that for many reasons whatsoever.

When the company closes down, you might not have time to erase all the data from the computer safely. In that case, you won’t even know what happens with the data afterward. You should also remember that if you go from that company, you must leave immediately, so you might have no time to remove the files. A better solution is to have an USB drive where you will store your personal information.

 Working on your side jobs while at the office

You might have a second or even a third job as a hobby or for an extra cash income. However, don’t cross the limits when you are in the company. Everything you do on this device can be legally recorded and kept as proof. Even if your coworkers do similar things, don’t walk after them – be an example of a good employee.

If you have time for an extra work, try to talk with your boss or manager and explain the situation. Even if he allows you to do that, use USB memory and don’t overdo this. Remember that this company is a priority at the moment, and try to arrange your time so you can manage jobs equally.

 Making jokes in the middle of business correspondence

It is important to stay professional all the time. If you talk to your colleagues on a collective chat platforms, make sure not to make silly jokes. All the messages are kept on servers and can be easily retrievable as emails. Remember not to mention anything that you wouldn’t say in public.