How to Secure Remote Workers: Tools & Best Practices for 2025

Many companies are returning to offices, but remote work isn’t going anywhere yet. 22.8% of US employees – 36.07 million people – are still working from home at least part-time. But with this freedom comes significant security risks.

When employees work from coffee shops, home offices, or co-working spaces, your company’s data becomes more exposed. And that’s a problem.

So, how do you secure remote workers in 2025?

In this guide, we’ll break down the tools, risks, and best practices that support secure remote work, giving your team the flexibility they need without compromising security.

Why Remote Worker Security Matters

Security is easier to maintain at an on-site corporate network. You control the Wi-Fi, firewalls, devices, and software. But with distributed teams, secure remote access becomes a challenge, especially when employees connect from untrusted environments or unmanaged devices.

Here’s what can go wrong and why it matters:

The good news is that most of these risks can be solved with the right tools and policies.

The Best Tool to Secure Remote Workers: DNS Filtering

DNS (Domain Name System) is the system that allows devices to find websites and online services. It translates website names into IP addresses that computers use to connect to the internet. Every time someone clicks a link, opens an app, or loads a webpage, a DNS request is made first. 

Most people don’t think about it, but DNS is often the first place hackers attack. That makes it a critical control point for network security: if you can block malicious or risky domains before they load, you can stop threats like malware, phishing, and data leaks at the source – and before they even reach the device.

This is called DNS filtering.

Here’s why DNS filtering matters most for remote workers

DNS filtering strengthens network access controls and is an important tool in mitigating remote security risks before they escalate into issues.

DNS filtering acts as a first line of defense, preventing connections to harmful or distracting sites before they load. It’s a powerful method, but not all DNS filtering tools are created equal. So, which one should you go with?

The answer is Control D.

Why Use Control D for DNS Filtering

Control D gives you total control over what your remote workforce can access, without slowing them down or locking them into bulky apps. 

It’s built for flexibility, privacy, and speed, with features that make it perfect for modern remote teams.

• Industry-leading 99.98% malware block rate
• Blocks phishing, ransomware sites, and other cyber threats from loading
• Unparalleled customization over your filtering policies
• Works on any device, operating system, and router
• Covers workers on any network – home, coffee shop, hotel, etc.
• Easy setup and deployment that takes minutes, not hours
• Real-time threat intelligence that updates constantly
• Detailed analytics and reporting for data-driven insights
• Works alongside your existing security stack

Unlike old-school VPNs or firewalls, Control D works at the DNS level and gives you total control over what’s allowed and what’s blocked.

How to Secure Remote Workers with Control D (Step-by-Step)

Here's how to get set up within a few short minutes.

✅ Step 1. Sign Up

Visit Control D to create an account. You can start a free trial for 30 days (no credit card required).

✅ Step 2: Create a Remote Team Profile

Set up a dedicated Control D Profile for your remote employees in the dashboard. This allows you to apply specific rules and monitor activity only for this group.

• Navigate to the Profiles tab
• Click Add Profile
• Name it something like “Remote Team”
• Click Create

✅ Step 3: Choose Filtering Rules

When managing remote workers, you need smart, flexible tools to control what kind of content is allowed, and what’s not. That’s where Filters and Services come in.

Start with Filters (Broad Protection)

Filters are ready-made content categories like Adult Content, Gambling, Malware, Phishing, and more. They’re updated in real time and let you block entire types of websites with just a few clicks – no need to build your own blocklists.

1. Click on the Profile you just created
2. Go to the Filters tab
3. Toggle ON the categories you want to block.

Fine-Tune with Services (Specific Control)

Want even more control? Head to the Services tab. Here, you can manage over 1,000 specific platforms, tools, and websites individually. You can block, bypass, or redirect any of them to match your policy.

Let’s say you blocked all social media using the Social Filter, but your team needs access to Instagram for marketing. No problem:

• Go to the Services tab
• Search for Instagram
• Toggle it to Bypass

Now Instagram is allowed, while all other social media remains blocked.

Using Filters and Services together gives you both broad protection and detailed control, perfect for keeping remote workers secure without slowing them down.

✅ Step 4: Deploy Control D to all Remote Devices

If you need to install Control D on a bunch of devices, like for your whole team, the easiest way to do it is via your RMM/MDM tool. Control D can create a provisioning code that allows you to configure and deploy Control D across all devices in bulk.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Navigate to the Endpoints tab and click on the Provision icon.

2. Make a Provisioning Code

Fill out a short form to create a special code.

3. Run the Install Script

Once the code is generated, you’ll receive a platform-specific installation script. Use your RMM or MDM solution to push this script to the appropriate devices.

Control D will now be installed and configured across your remote fleet. Each Endpoint will be protected with the same policy, giving your team controlled, secure access no matter where they are.

Heads up: If your team uses different types of computers (like both Windows and Macs), you’ll need to make a separate code for each OS. The deployment process remains the same.

For more information on Provisioning, refer to the official Provisioning Guide.

✅ Step 5: Monitor and Protect Your Remote Team with Analytics

Once Control D is up and running, head to the Analytics tab in your dashboard to keep track of how your remote team is using the internet (without spying on them). Here’s what you can do:

• Make sure risky sites like torrent platforms are blocked across all remote devices
• View real-time and past activity to see which domains your team is accessing
• Spot any attempts to bypass rules, like using a VPN or proxy to get around filters
• Identify suspicious behavior that could point to a hacked device or security breach
• Fine-tune your settings anytime to give more freedom or tighten restrictions depending on your team’s needs

Other Tools to Secure Remote Workers

Once you’ve secured DNS-level traffic with Control D, layer on additional tools to complete your remote security strategy.

🔒 Encrypt All Traffic with a Business VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts internet traffic, creating a secure, private tunnel between remote workers and your company's network.  All data is encrypted, so hackers can't read it even if they intercept it, which is especially important on open or risky networks like public Wi-Fi.

Why it matters:

• Prevents eavesdropping on public Wi-Fi
• Protects data in transit
• Hides location and IP address
• Allows access to internal tools or geo-restricted resources

Always use a VPN for:

• Accessing internal company systems
• Working with sensitive customer data
• Using public WiFi networks
• Connecting to company servers

🔑 Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Passwords aren’t enough. People reuse them, forget them, or use weak ones. MFA adds an extra login step, such as a code from a phone app, so even if passwords are stolen, attackers can’t gain access without the second factor.

Where to use it:

• Email (Google Workspace, Outlook)
• Cloud apps (Slack, Notion, etc.)
• Admin portals
• SSO platforms

Control D supports secure logins for admin accounts and integrates easily with your SSO providers like Okta.

💻 Use Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Remote workers use all kinds of devices – also known as Endpoints – including company-issued, personal, and mobile devices.

EDR tools watch your devices for suspicious activity. They can spot and stop attacks that slip past other defenses.

Key features to look for in an EDR tool:

• Real-time monitoring
• Automatic threat response
• Device compliance checking
• Remote device management
• Full disk encryption

☁️ Control Access to Cloud Tools

Remote workers live in cloud apps, such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Slack. However, you need guardrails to manage access properly.

Best practices:

• Limit access based on roles
• Use SSO (Single Sign-On) to centralize logins
• Require MFA
• Monitor logins for unusual activity, such as a sign-in from an unexpected country, a new device, or rapid logins from multiple locations (aka impossible travel)
• Disable accounts immediately when employees leave

📁 Enable Secure File Sharing

Stop workers from using unsecured tools like personal email or consumer cloud storage, as these open the door to data leaks. Give them secure alternatives like:

What to do:

• Use secure, business-grade sharing platforms like:
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Google Workspace (Drive for Business)
  • Dropbox Business
  • Box
• Train employees to avoid personal file storage apps
• Set clear policies for what can be shared, and with whom

🗝️ Password Management

Compromised passwords account for 49% of all data breaches, and in corporate settings, 81% of hacking-related breaches are attributed to reused or weak passwords. Password managers fix this by making security simple:

Why it matters:

• Generates strong, unique passwords for every login
• Stores credentials in encrypted vaults
• Auto-fills login fields to reduce reuse or errors
• Allows secure password sharing between team members
• If auto-fill doesn’t work, it may signal you’re on a phishing site

What to do:

• Roll out a company-wide password manager (like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane)
• Require MFA for vault access
• Disable browser-based password-saving

Best Practices to Secure Remote Workers

✅ 1. Monitor, Audit, Improve

Security isn’t “set it and forget it.” You need visibility into what’s happening, especially when your team is spread across the globe.

Use tools like Control D to track:

• Top domains visited
• Blocked threats and risky activity
• Per-device breakdowns
• Unusual patterns or spikes

This data helps you spot problems early and tighten your defenses before something breaks.

✅ 2. Test Your Defenses Regularly

Even with the right tools in place, you need to make sure they’re actually doing their job. Regular testing helps you spot gaps before attackers do.

What to test:

• DNS filtering rules and penetration attempts
• Endpoint protection and EDR alerts
• MFA and access control failures
• Phishing awareness with simulated attacks

✅ 3. Regular Security Training

Even the best tools can’t stop human error. Ongoing training keeps your team sharp and aware of threats.

Include:

• Monthly security tips or email nudges
• Quarterly training sessions
• Simulated phishing tests
• Internal security awareness campaigns
• Short quizzes or giveaways to boost engagement

✅ 4. Build a Clear Remote Work Security Policy 

Technology only goes so far. Employees need to understand the “why.”

Your policy should cover:

• What tools must be installed
• What apps/sites are allowed or blocked
• What to do if a device is lost or hacked
• How to report phishing, malware, or suspicious activity
• Who to contact for security support
• Why these security steps matter

✅ 5. Manage Third-Party App Access

Remote teams depend on SaaS tools, but not all of them are secure. Ensure that only safe and approved tools have access to your data.

Best practices:

• Review connected apps in your cloud suites
• Remove unused or high-risk integrations
• Restrict OAuth scopes
• Use Control D to block unapproved tools at the DNS layer

✅ 6. Follow a Zero Trust Approach

In remote environments, trust is a vulnerability. Adopt a zero trust mindset, which means “never trust, always verify.”

Focus on:

• Authenticating and verifying every user and device
• Using least-privilege access wherever possible
• Logging and auditing all activity
• Reviewing unusual login attempts or geo-access flags

✅ Plan for Incidents in Advance

​​Don’t wait for a breach to figure out your response. Build a clear incident response plan that covers:

• Detection: How will you know when something’s wrong?
• Response: Who takes action, and how?
• Recovery: How will you restore normal operations?
• Learning: How will you prevent similar incidents?

✅ Conduct Regular Security Reviews

The threat landscape changes fast, and so should your security posture. Schedule routine check-ins to stay ahead.

Review:

• Monthly DNS and threat reports
• Quarterly filtering and access policies
• Annual end-to-end security assessments
• Post-incident reports (if applicable)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Mistake 1: Focusing Only on Technology – Security is about people, processes, and technology. Don't ignore training and policies.
• ❌ Mistake 2: Making Security Too Complicated – If security is difficult to adhere to, workers will find ways around it. Keep things simple.
• ❌ Mistake 3: Not Monitoring Remote Access – You need visibility into who's accessing what, when, and from where.
• ❌ Mistake 4: Treating All Workers the Same – Different roles need different security controls. A CEO needs different protection than an intern.
• ❌ Mistake 5: Ignoring Personal Devices – If workers access company data on personal devices, those devices need security controls, too.

Final Thoughts: Make Remote Work Safe Without Making It Miserable

Securing remote workers doesn’t mean locking everything down. It means building smart, layered defenses that protect people wherever they work, without killing productivity.

With the right tools, you can protect your business, meet compliance requirements, and give your employees the flexibility they love.

Start with DNS filtering through Control D – it’s fast to deploy, easy to manage, and powerful enough to protect your business and employees, no matter where they log in from – and layer on additional tools from there.

Remember: perfect security doesn't exist, but good security makes your remote employees a much harder target to attack.