| The whole meaning of networking is to share | | | | protection that will keep unauthorized individuals from |
| programs, but granting others to access a computer | | | | getting access. |
| device reveals an open window for those with foul | | | | Internal network security threats are those that come |
| motives, too. In the early days networks were quite | | | | from within the organization, as opposed to those that |
| secure because they were closed in systems, and to | | | | come through the Internet. Internal threats include |
| do any harm you had to get physical access to a | | | | employees who on purpose attempt to nick data or |
| server wired to the LAN. Remote access and Internet | | | | bring in viruses or attacks on the computer network. |
| possibility to hook up has changed that. Broader | | | | Other internal threats are posed by outside employees |
| availableness and less cost of broadband (DSL and | | | | (contract workers, janitorial services and people posing |
| cable) connections means that even home computers | | | | as utility company employees) who have physical |
| remain linked up to the Internet round-the-clock, which | | | | access to the LAN computers. Though, many internal |
| add the chances for hackers to gain access to | | | | threats are unintended. Employees may install or use |
| computers. | | | | their own software or hardware for a private purpose, |
| Computer operating systems were originally planned | | | | unaware that it poses a security threat to their |
| for stand-alone computers only, not networked ones, | | | | computers and the complete network. |
| and security was not an issue. When computer | | | | External security threats are those that come from |
| networking became known, applications and operating | | | | outside the LAN, typically from the Internet. These |
| systems concentrated on easy accessibility rather | | | | threats are the ones we usually think of when we talk |
| than security. Because of this earlier focus on | | | | about hackers and computer network attacks. Such |
| accessibility; security are now retrofitted into a lot of | | | | people can make use of flaws and characteristics of |
| hardware systems. Modern operating systems such | | | | computer operating systems and software |
| as Windows XP are planned with security in mind, but | | | | applications. They take advantage of the way various |
| they still have to operate using conventional networking | | | | network communications protocols work to do a |
| protocols, which can result in security problems. | | | | range of things, including the following: |
| Security versus access. The users want easy access | | | | Enter a system and access (read, copy, change or |
| to network resources. Administrators want to remain | | | | delete) its data. |
| the network secure. These two goals are at odds, | | | | Break down a system and harm or destroy operating |
| because access and security are always on conflicting | | | | system and application files so they do not work |
| ends of the scale; the more you have of one, the less | | | | anymore. |
| you have of the other. | | | | Install virus and worms that can spread to other |
| For business computer networks, the key is to hit a | | | | systems across the LAN. |
| balance so that employees are not annoyed by | | | | Or use the system to start attacks against other |
| security measures, while trying to maintain a level of | | | | systems or other network. |