Everyday, computer crackers and malware writers are making significant gains that allow them to victimize even more prominent corporate networks. For organizations doing business at this level, security is an aspect that simply can’t be overlooked. You may not be a corporate bigwig but security should be of equal importance to your home network. In this article I will share a few tips to help keep you safe in your home networking endeavors.
Secure Your Point of Access
Whether you call it a gateway, router or modem, your point of access to the Internet should be one of the first elements you secure. Most of these devices come with a default password, while others do not. Even if your hardware does, you should never be foolish enough to think a default password provides you with adequate security. Attackers are very sophisticated these days, but they don’t have to get too advanced to crack a simple password. With the right set of tools, they can penetrate your home network within a matter of seconds. If you haven’t already, be sure to change the default password of your access point to something that is easy for you to remember but difficult for intruders to guess. Keep in mind that a strong password is one that consists of a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. You probably won’t need this password very often, so if you can’t remember it, write it down and make sure you keep it in a safe place for future reference.
Get an Internet Security Suite
Most of the threats facing business and home computer users today are a direct result of the Internet. Back in the days of the Commodore 64 and Apple II, viruses were rare and hacking was something only workstation users and government agencies had to worry about. Oh how times have changed. Whether it’s a Windows, Mac or Linux platform, any computer with an Internet connection needs to be protected by reliable security software. Since malware and intrusion make up two of the most prevalent threats, anti-virus software and firewalls are two of the most vital security elements. There are numerous vendors that help you kill two birds with one stone by integrating firewall and anti-virus tools into a single package. These all-in-one solutions typically offer other useful features such as spam filtering, identity theft protection and anti-phishing tools. The products that I highly recommend are internet security suites developed by vendors like Symantec (Norton), Kaspersky and McAfee.
Keep Your Network Components Updated
If your computer or printer suffered physical damage, you would probably make an effort to fix it right? Well, the same approach must be taken when it comes to your system and software applications. Though most users have no idea, flaws in software applications can be like open gates that invite malicious intruders right in. Because of this, you want to make sure the core components on your PC are kept fresh with the latest patches and updates. This goes for your Windows operating system and web browser to word processors like Microsoft Word or WordPerfect.
Don’t Sleep on Your Network
There is probably a lot of sensitive information stored on your personal computer. This could be anything from credit card details and bank account numbers to medical records and business plans. In the world of network computing, there is a saying that unless your computer is turned off, unplugged from the network, locked in a safe and buried underground, it’s vulnerable to an arsenal of attacks. Because the presence of a network makes a computer even more susceptible to threats, it is essential that you take numerous steps to ensure that your electronic data is safe.
