| In a world of ever-evolving and increasingly | | | | information, usernames and passwords. |
| sophisticated Internet threats, computer network | | | | Phishing attacks generally target individuals, but this |
| security has become an unmanageable necessity for | | | | does not mean that our businesses are safe from this |
| many small businesses and homeowners. | | | | type of threat. |
| It is more important now than it has ever been to put | | | | Our employees are more mobile, and more connected |
| the needs of one's network into the hands of a highly | | | | to our business networks than ever. |
| skilled and experienced professional. | | | | A phishing attack that compromises the employee can |
| Even the small home network can benefit and save | | | | lead to a compromise of the business' entire computer |
| money by turning to a PC technician who has the | | | | network security. |
| proper software and tools for the job. | | | | This is why it is critical that we use professional |
| Proper computer network security takes the burden | | | | measures to protect our employees and, in turn, |
| off our shoulders, and protects our small business and | | | | protect ourselves. |
| home networks from all threats. | | | | Packet Sniffers |
| Consider that these threats can expend far more | | | | Packet sniffers capture network data streams, thus |
| energy attacking our systems than we can spend | | | | allowing them to seize a business' sensitive information. |
| defending them. | | | | Packet sniffers are very difficult to detect, and they |
| When one considers the ever-expanding array of | | | | can gain access to the network through legitimate |
| network threats, it is clear that we must allow | | | | connection means. |
| specialists to manage our defense. | | | | In order to secure a network from this type of threat, |
| How else can we have confidence that all of our | | | | every point within the network must have proper |
| precious information is secure? | | | | security protocols, and be able to transmit and receive |
| Consider the following evolving Internet-based threats: | | | | encrypted communication. |
| Worms & Viruses | | | | A business must employ a network security specialist |
| In addition to being the original form of malware and | | | | in order to implement a system such as this. |
| predating the Internet, viruses are still the most | | | | Securing All Components of Network Access Control |
| common and dangerous form of security threat. | | | | The common small business owner or homeowner |
| Once they gain access to the network, they begin to | | | | does not appreciate the complexity of fully securing a |
| spread until the network is disabled, compromised or | | | | network. |
| both. | | | | There are four primary phases: |
| The fortunate aspect of worms and viruses are that | | | | Authentication |
| they require user intervention in order to introduce | | | | Enforcement |
| themselves to the systems. | | | | Endpoint Security |
| This means that with proper and professional security | | | | Management |
| and protocols in place, a business can provide | | | | Defend your business from all computer network |
| themselves with invulnerability to these types of | | | | security threats by hiring a network security consultant |
| attacks. | | | | that will properly secure and define protocols for each |
| Phishing | | | | of these phases. Network security is like a house of |
| Phishing is a criminally fraudulent process of attempting | | | | cards. If just one of these broad aspects fails, the |
| to acquire sensitive information, such as credit card | | | | entire structure falls apart. |