Yeah, VPNs are great but they’re only one layer. First thing I do is use a strong, two‑factor‑protected VPN—preferably a zero‑trust provider that forces split tunneling so only traffic to my work domains goes through the tunnel. Next, I lock down my laptop with a complex passcode and keep the OS encrypted. I also run a minimal, lightweight firewall like UFW and keep it up‑to‑date. On the software side, I keep everything patched, use a reputable antivirus that runs in the background, and disable auto‑connect for Wi‑Fi unless I trust the network. For the actual workstation, I bring a single external SSD with a hardware‑encrypted key that I only plug in when I’m at a safe location. And I always keep a fresh backup on a cloud service that I access only over the VPN. If I’m in a risky spot, I’ll switch to a local hotspot and throw away the temporary Wi‑Fi credentials. It’s a lot of moving parts, but once you set up a repeatable workflow it’s manageable.