| As more people are logging onto the Internet | | | | computers in the network. Some hackers can also |
| everyday, Network Security becomes a larger issue. In | | | | view information that they are not supposed to see. |
| the United States, identity theft and computer fraud | | | | Destructive Attacks |
| are among the fastest rising crimes. It is important to | | | | There are two major categories for destructive |
| protect your network and ensure the safety of all | | | | attacks to a network. Data Diddling is the first attack. It |
| computers and users in that network. | | | | usually is not immediately apparent that something is |
| What is a Network? | | | | wrong with your computer when it has been |
| In order to fully understand network security, one must | | | | subjected to a data diddler. Data diddlers will generally |
| first understand what exactly a network is. A network | | | | change numbers or files slightly, and the damage |
| is a group of computers that are connected. | | | | becomes apparent much later. Once a problem is |
| Computers can be connected in a variety of ways. | | | | discovered, it can be very difficult to trust any of your |
| Some of these ways include a USB port, phone line | | | | previous data because the culprit could have potentially |
| connection, Ethernet connection, or a wireless | | | | fooled with many different documents. |
| connection. The Internet is basically a network of | | | | The second type of data destruction is outright |
| networks. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is also a | | | | deletion. Some hackers will simply hack into a |
| network. When a computer connects to the internet, it | | | | computer and delete essential files. This inevitably |
| joins the ISP's network which is joined with a variety of | | | | causes major problems for any business and can |
| other networks, which are joined with even more | | | | even lead to a computer being deemed useless. |
| networks, and so on. These networks all encompass | | | | Hackers can rip operating systems apart and cause |
| the Internet. The vast amount of computers on the | | | | terrible problems to a network or a computer. |
| Internet, and the number of ISPs and large networks | | | | The Importance of Network Security |
| makes network security a must. | | | | Knowing how destructive hackers can be shows you |
| Common Network Security Breeches | | | | the importance of Network Security. Most networks |
| Hackers often try to hack into vulnerable networks. | | | | have firewalls enabled that block hackers and viruses. |
| Hackers use a variety of different attacks to cripple a | | | | Having anti-virus software on all computers in a |
| network. Whether you have a home network or a | | | | network is a must. In a network, all of the computers |
| LAN, it is important to know how hackers will attack a | | | | are connected, so that if one computer gets a virus, all |
| network. | | | | of the other computers can be adversely affected by |
| One common way for a hacker to wreak havoc is to | | | | this same virus. Any network administrator should |
| achieve access to things that ordinary users shouldn't | | | | have all of the essential files on back up disks. If a file |
| have access to. In any network, administrators have | | | | is deleted by a hacker, but you have it on back up, |
| the ability to make certain parts of the network | | | | then there is no issue. When files are lost forever, |
| "unauthorized access." If a hacker is able to gain | | | | major problems ensue. Network security is an |
| access to a protected area of the network, he or she | | | | important thing for a business, or a home. Hackers try |
| can possibly affect all of the computers on the | | | | to make people's lives difficult, but if you are ready for |
| network. Some hackers attempt to break into certain | | | | them, your network will be safe. |
| networks and release viruses that affect all of the | | | | |