Cyber security Tips

At some point in our lives most of us will be ensnared by some kind of internet virus, whether its due to poor quality anti-virus tech, dodgy emails, phishing attacks or infection by a friends computer internet virus' affect us all. Viruses range massively in terms of effect and the dangers they pose, a virus on a personal computer can be bad enough but it can be devastating if your business networks and systems are infected. The best way to ensure that your business is protected from viruses is by utilising the skills of IT security consultants.

Dangerous viruses

Many company computers hold vital data, either from clients or the business in question as well as personal communications. This is not information you want in someone else's hands or worse, leaked onto the internet. Viruses can lie dormant in your system for months, intercepting and collecting often vital data without the users knowledge, others can crash sites or even computer software.

The higher the success, the greater the threat

The more successful and prolific a business, the higher the risk of attack. Instead of being affected by viruses intended to infect as many computers as possible at random, hackers and cyber criminals deliberately target a business in order take information and make money from it illegally. There are scores of hackers and cyber criminals searching for sites with weak security in order to exploit it for their own personal gain. Companies like Sony and Amazon have all faced difficulties with hackers and cyber criminals; everyone needs to bear security in mind.

Technology moves at an incredibly fast rate, viruses are no different. New ones are being constantly created and so security technology has to keep up with them. IT security consultants aim to make sure that your systems have the most up to date protection to deal with everything the internet has to throw at them.

Security at a business level

IT security consultants use their valuable experience to ensure that your company's website is secure and helping you move your business forward. The type of anti-virus technology you might use at home is not recommended at a business level, as previously stated your company may be directly targeted and aggressively pursued something domestic anti-virus tech was not designed to deal with.

The internet is a vital resource for modern business yet it also brings fresh dangers and security risks, IT security consultants can ensure that you get all the advantages the internet brings whilst minimising the hazards.

Trustmarque pride themselves on being able to protect your business online with their experienced IT security consultants. If you need your computers and websites protected, contact Trustmarque them on their website today.

KNOW YOUR INTERNET SECURITY

Your computer is at risk when it connects to a network and begins communication with other computers. The essence of Internet security is to protect your computer and data from online attacks. More often than not, the attacks are mounted by an outside user. Basic security measures usually involve protection by well selected passwords, regularly changing of file permissions and back up of computer's data storage.

Computers being a critical component in operating a business, it is more valuable now than ever to ensure the security of your networks especially where there is very sensitive data. You can hardly go a day without hearing of how some network was hacked into by internet criminals. News of network breach is becoming common place. This is where you need a service that checks for those short comings and prevents from future attacks. Better still, why not have in place a system that will deter online criminals? Do you imagine having to explain to your customers that someone has stolen their credit card information?

Concerns over security are in some ways peripheral to normal business operating, but serve to show just how important it is that business users feel confident and assured when using IT systems. Security will always be high on the IT agenda simply because cyber criminals know that a successful attack is very profitable to them.

A firewall is a software program that has the ability to blockade any unauthorized ports on the computer. Firewalls are set up for the purpose to record data of connection details. Firewalls are available in three main configurations.

One is the stateful firewall is a more secure form of firewall, and system administrators often combine both a proxy firewall with a packet-filtering firewall to setup a highly secure system. Many domestic users make use of the software firewall. These types of firewalls can create a log file where it shows and records all the connection details, including connection attempts to the computer.

Some programmers can also create programs with intentions of destroying the computers data by using tricks. Such of this are known as viruses, Trojan horses, worms and spy ware.

o Worms are software programs which are able to replicate themselves over a computer network and in turn perform malicious actions.

o Viruses are software programs which are able to log into the personal files on a computer it has infected resulting in removing all of them, leading to serious side effects to the computer.

o Trojan horses are software programs which disguise to be carrying out one thing, but in reality snoops out your personal data, or damaging it. These types hide their identity or true intentions and are usually not easy to detect.

o Malware are classified as Trojans with a limited payload and are usually not detected by most antivirus software. For this reason, it is best to install additional software which will detect Malware.

The upside is that there are many effective Anti-Virus software available in the market to fight the threats mentioned above. These can be purchased from vendors or bought online. Caution should be taken in the selection of anti-virus software, as some programs are not very affective in detecting and destroying viruses or Malware. Also ensure that your Anti-Virus data base is current and up to date.

There are two major kinds of threats related to spy ware:

Adware is simply those annoying pop-ups which keep constantly advertise things on your page. These programs without your knowledge secretly install themselves on your computer files and are stuck there until the day the computer system is cleaned up completely.

Spyware as the name suggests spies on your computer while it collects and sends information to the computer to the manufactures and even when the program is never used it continues to do so.

Scott Cantroll is computer security specialist dedicated to educating parents and computer users about computer and internet safety and security. My goal is to share everything I have learned over the last 15 years about computer safety and security with you. I have created a website http://www.internetsafetycenter.com where parents can learn more about cyberbullying, viruses, antivirus software, spyware, social networking dangers, and identity theft. The site also shows you how to stop viruses, spyware, cyberbullying, and identity theft. Learn how to protect you kids and yourself online today visit us at http://www.internetsafetycenter.com

Today, securing your business' computer network is not an option as much as it is a necessity. This is an important process that needs to be handled with care and the proper planning and financial budgeting.

Many small businesses in particular lack the funds to employ a dedicated IT staff and buy the equipment needed to lock down the business computer network. However, security is crucial, and data breaches could end the business; there are threats that come from a number of sources like website breaches, downloads of illegal material and through wireless networks. These threats are a bit difficult to address given the limited resources available, but this guide should help you get a fair idea of what to do to secure your business computer network.

A major reason for security breaches are wireless networks. Wireless internet requires a broadband connection that is connected to a wireless router, which in turn broadcasts a signal into the air. Once this is done, any computer within the range can gain access to your network, which means that any hacker nearby has access to the information on the network or computer. This could be a major cause for concern unless your wireless network has been secured. A password is often not enough to ensure that your wireless network is secure, and steps must be taken to make your wireless business network completely secure. These measures include reducing the transmitting power of your router, keeping your SSID private and securing your router and your access point administration interface.

Before you begin to lock down on your business computer system, you will need to come up with an effective plan by which to build security in your business network. The first step is to come up with a checklist of items that you will need to take care of when you begin to secure your network. There are nine major checkpoints that you will have to make note of and constantly monitor when you are trying to secure your computer network. These include managing the core network and file server security, making backups, protecting remote laptops, securing internet connections and the web server, getting a VPN, wireless security, secure browsing, IM and email security and endpoint protection.
In order to begin a security routine, businesses should take further precautions that include limiting access to the office or building, and instituting a certain code of conduct with regards to passwords and virus protection.

Businesses can also use the security features that are in software applications and routers and implement a security policy to be followed by everyone in the company.

Ian works in the IT Industry and talks about ways to employ your own in-house IT team Computer Support Chippenham and Computer Support Bristol.

Everyone from the government, to large corporations, to small businesses and university programs are talking about Cloud Computing (the Cloud) these days, but just what is cloud computing anyway?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Information Technology Laboratory, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, founded in 1901 as the nation's first federal physical science research laboratory, also known as NIST, is the government's authority on all matters pertaining to securing our nations information systems. According to NIST, cloud computing "is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This computing model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models."

Basically, cloud computing is a developing word that defines the expansion of many current technologies and computing methodologies into something new and different. The cloud divides application and information resources from the basic infrastructure, and the tools used to distribute them.

For organizations adopting this methodology, using the cloud improves cooperation, agility, scaling, and availability, and by improved and efficient computing practices, provide the possibility of cost reduction for the organization.

More precisely, cloud computing defines the use of a collection of services, applications, information, and infrastructure containing pools of compute, network, information, and storage resources. These mechanisms can be swiftly arranged, provisioned, implemented and decommissioned, and scaled up or down. This in turn provides for an on-demand utility-like model of allocation and consumption that is very beneficial to organizations.

From an information architecture viewpoint; there is much misunderstanding about how cloud computing is both like and different from existing models of computing; and how these likenesses and differences impact the organizational, operational, and technological methods to network and information security practices.

The solution to appreciating how this computing architecture influences security architecture are a common and concise lexicon, joined with a static arrangement of selections that can analyze cloud services and architecture, plotting them to a model of compensating security and operational controls, risk assessment and management frameworks, and ultimately to compliance standards that can be adopted by organizations choosing to utilize all the cloud has to offer.

Derek A. Smith is IT Security Manager, Consultant and Associate at a large Fortune 500 company. He is an expert at Information, Cyber, and Physical security with 30 years' experience in the security and law enforcement industry. To learn more visit Derek's website at http://www.Cybersecuritysamurai.com

Is technology and computer networks grow sophisticated over time, so do the intrusion techniques that scammers try to use in order to infiltrate them. It's because of this that companies are forced to pay more attention to their methods of network security in order to protect their company's resources than ever before.

Small companies are at a particular disadvantage when it comes to protecting their computer networks from outsiders simply because they may not have the resources and personnel that larger companies do in order to combat outside threats.

It used to be that the combination of a router attached to your computer and a firewall program running on the machine were enough to protect a network from intrusion but the reality quickly became that these were simply the first steps in protecting a computer network as attacks increased and became more sophisticated.

If you're serious about protecting your company's private information from people who have no business viewing it, then you need to do a lot more in the name of network security besides having a router and firewall in place.

Network Access Control (NAC), the method by which access to a network is determined, is what protects computer networks from unauthorized access and is broken up into four core components: Authentication, enforcement, endpoint security, and management.

The individual strength of each of these components does a lot to make sure that important files and other pieces of information on your company's network are safe from unauthorized access.

To gain a better understanding of how NAC works, let's take a look at what each of its core aspects do:

Authentication - This method of control is the first in a series of network security methods. It is most often handled by firewalls and verifies what should and should not have access to the network. This method often works well in indentifying and blocking external threats, but its shortcoming is that it assumes all threats come from the outside.
Enforcement - This tier of defense sees to that authenticated clients never become a threat to the network once access is allowed.
Endpoint Security - This component is described as being both individually and centrally managed. Examples of these include personal firewalls and anti-virus programs at the networks individual work stations.
Network Management - This is the last and most important layer of network security. It ties together all other components, changes to meet client needs and involves constant monitoring of the network.

Each of these different aspects wages a constant battle against people trying to gain access to secure networks. The different methods that they employ in trying to gain access are just as varied as the security measures that stop them.

Let's take a look at what many scammers and hackers try to do to get into a secure network so that you have a better understanding of just what it is that your network security protects you against.

Some of the biggest threats to computer networks are:

Viruses - These rogue programs infiltrate a network and spread until they render it useless
Trojan Horses - These often appear as friendly and welcome downloads, but hide a virus or other type of malware once they are opened.
Spam - These unsolicited messages are sent and received in bulk and are often associated with fraud.
Phishing - This method comes in the guise of an official email from a trusted organization. It attempts to get you to reveal passwords and other personal information that can then be used to malicious purposes.
Packet Sniffers - These programs intercept and decode sensitive data sent over networks in an attempt to recover and use the information that is carried.

In an increasingly connected world, businesses are more vulnerable to virtual attacks than ever before and having the proper network security has become more crucial than ever.

It doesn't matter if the company you own is large or small, the chance that vulnerability in your computer network will be exploited for malicious purposes is always there, so you want to do everything that you can to protect your company, employees and assets.

Are you interested in computer repair or learning more about network security in general? DSR-INC has been helping businesses with computer support for over 15 years. Contact them today and get expert help with, computer maintenance, network security, or network maintenance.

Cloud computing and its potential to offer powerful computing and data storage options to even bootstrapped small businesses at highly competitive prices have generated plenty of excitement in the industry. So much so, however, that critical questions regarding the security of the data stored "in the cloud" are often overlooked by its most enthusiastic adopters. It's understandable, given the heavyweight names behind some of the biggest cloud computing projects in the world. (Google Apps, anyone?) If companies like Cisco and Oracle are betting their futures and fortunes on cloud computing, surely that must mean that all the kinks have been worked out already, right? Or at the very least, security must be a top priority for them as well, given their zealous approach to network security in general, and we can all enjoy the trickle-down effect of their tireless efforts to firewall our data from any and all security breaches.

Right?

Well, yes and no. Cisco CEO John Chambers admitted as much in a speech he delivered in 2009 that, while cloud computing presents innumerable opportunities, it's also a "security nightmare." And with good reason. Some of the security issues that cloud computing providers must address in order to allay customer fears include:

Multi-tenancy issues. Cloud computing, by definition, involves shared data storage among a number of users spread across multiple companies and locations. Providers must be able to reassure corporate clients that users from another company will not be able to gain access to - accidentally or otherwise - their account and information.
Data loss and recovery. What happens in the event of a catastrophe that results in data loss? Does the provider have a rigorously and regularly tested backup solution to ensure data recovery? If a problem occurs in one client's account that results in data loss, does the provider have fail-safe systems in place to ensure that a devastating cascading effect doesn't occur that will lead to data loss among their other clients? What if the cloud computing provider goes out of business, is bought or taken over by another company, or declares bankruptcy? How will its clients be assured that their sensitive corporate data won't be lost in the transition or closure?
Storage and hosting information. Where is the data itself physically stored? Are the servers somewhere in Silicon Valley, Chicago, or Bangalore, India? Who provides the actual hosting services? If the host provider is a third-party, has the cloud computing provider properly vetted its credentials to ensure that they adhere to industry standards for data security?
Security tests and updates. How often is the software or platform updated? How often is it tested? During and after testing, does the provider have systems in place to ensure that any updates or tweaks not result in security breaches? You'll want to make sure that unauthorized users - from your company, your provider or a third-party - don't inadvertently gain access to your information.
Compatibility of different security policies. If your company has an established security policy regarding sensitive client and corporate information, does it differ from the policy offered by the provider? Is the provider willing to meet your internal standards of security? What about third-party companies with whom the provider does business and who may be involved in some way with the service? Will they adhere to your corporate standards as well?
Collaboration issues. One of the most appealing benefits of cloud computing is its ability to promote collaboration among its users, either with internal staff or external parties. Does the software or platform provider have systems in place to ensure that collaboration doesn't compromise security?
Human resource issues. Who within the provider will have access to your company information? Who is in charge of data security? Are they made available to you to discuss any concerns you may have? Can they adequately address your questions to your full satisfaction? What is their experience and background in corporate data and network security?
Downtime reports and frequency. How often does the company's servers experience downtime? Will they make their downtime reports available to you so that you can investigate the reliability of their network? Do they have systems in place to ensure that your data is secure and that no unauthorized users will have access to your account both during and after the downtime periods?
Cyberattack defense. It's inevitable that cloud computing is the next great frontier for cyberattackers salivating over the vast amounts of sensitive information concentrated in a relative handful of services, all available on the web. How does the provider plan to address potential cyberattacks, because it's only a matter of when, not if, they'll experience a hacking attempt on their network?

This list is just the beginning. The best cloud computing providers spend the majority of their waking hours - and I'd be willing to bet some of their dreaming hours, too - thinking about security issues and how they can be proactive in the face of increasing threats that can potentially compromise their clients' business and destroy the trust and faith that they've built with their audience. It's an ongoing conversation that we at Mothernode are excited to be a part of, and one that will be consuming our industry for the foreseeable future.

Ken Pearson
President
Mothernode, LLC
(800) 928-6055 x300
ken.pearson@mothernode.com
http://www.mothernode.com

Mothernode is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business system that offers Small and Medium Business (SMB) a suite of powerful on-demand applications, components and expansion packs designed to streamline all aspects of operations. The software suite includes Salesforce Automation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Order Fulfillment, Quoting and Proposals, Inventory Control Systems (ICS), Vendor Access, Invoicing, Performance Indicators and so much more.

Yikes, I have a virus! Are you infected with and need to remove Security Essentials 2010? Although this can be a serious problem, if you take the right steps you don't need to let it to be. Getting a Security Essentials 2010 removal can be easier than you think.

Once it get's onto your system you may notice a few odd things such as fake pop up alerts, slow computer speeds, counterfeit scanning, and other strange symptoms. Perhaps worst of all is the presence of spyware which can steal private information. You want to get rid of Security Essentials ASAP.

The virus gets onto your computer via a variety of means. These include:

• Downloading some malicious applications or freeware off the net. There is a reason why many of these programs are free. They are paid instead to bundle the software with malware.

• A security gap in Adobe. While Adobe has excellent software, there are many ways virus creators can exploit it to download dangerous viruses on your system.

• Responding to e-mail or queries from unfamiliar people or downloading random applications from social networks. Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace are great social tools, but exercise discretion when using them.

Ignore any pop ups like "Your System Is Infected" or "Spyware infection detected". Yes your system has been compromised, but the Security Essentials 2010 virus is the culprit. Installing the software will only put you and your system at further risk.

Security Essentials 2010 Removal

Manual removal of the deadly infection means you need to access several directories and do the following:

1. Uninstall all associated process files like.EXE and.BAT.

2. Eliminate DLL and LNK files that are silently operating in the background.

3. Remove registry entries that have been compromised.

You will need to completely remove the infection before you restart. The virus hangs out in your startup commands and will completely regenerate if you don't.

Also make sure you know exactly what you are doing. A manual removal of the virus can cause irreparable harm to the registry and other important system processes if you begin removing the wrong files.

A much easier way to remove Security Essentials 2010 is to download a removal tool. By conducting a full system scan you can remove the infection in minutes. Not only can you get rid of this deadly virus, with real time protection you can prevent future attacks.

Tired of viruses infecting your computer? Want to surf the web with the peace of mind that your computer is safe and secure? Get your free scan from the top virus protection and remove Security Essentials 2010.

Jim Marshall is an expert computer technician with fifteen years of experience in the industry. Since his own computer was destroyed by malicious software, he has been studying antispyware, adware, and malware systems for years. His website details the comprehensive results of this research, ranking the best antispyware and antivirus programs available.

http://www.spyware-fix.net

XP Smart Security is related to the devastating virus known as Security Tool, which enters your computer through a Trojan, adjusts your security settings, and slows your PC down to a crawl. Smart Security will load you with pop-ups and scare you with 'critical alerts.' If you've had spyware or virus on your PC before then you know these threats are false, and are trying to rob you out of some money. However, you cannot afford to sit on your hands, as any Trojan virus can make your life even more miserable if given enough time. The worst case scenario in these situations is when a hacker has enough time to scan your computer for sensitive information, possibly resulting in identity theft. We can't afford to take such a risk. Let's get rid of this badware right away.

If you're wondering how this spyware made its way onto your computer, it was most likely through a video codec, an unscanned e-mail attachment, or a download through a P2P network or a filesharing service. If our PC does not have an updated, active protection program installed, then we are constantly at risk, especially if we ever look at 'questionable' sites.

The symptoms of an infection, other than pop-ups and alerts can run the gamut as well, but normally you will find that your PC is slower than it used to be, your desktop wallpaper and/or icons may have changed, and you may find new bookmarks or search engine redirects. Hackers will redirect your searches to websites that try to install even more spyware on your computer, or try and trick you into clicking their advertisements, thus helping the crooks earn more money on the side. Your computer is basically hijacked when software such as XP Smart Security is installed.

So how do we remove XP Smart Security?

Like the famous quote goes, "we can do this the easy way, or the hard way." In this case, the hard way is manual removal. It's only recommended for IT professionals and PC experts. If you fancy yourself one of these, then you will have to dig into your system's registry, in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder and HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder, and locate the registry values with "SmartSecurity" in the filename. You will need to remove those values, and also stop all related system processes. After this, you will have to delete all related files and folders in your system, usually in the Programs folder. The big issue here though, is that if you make one small error, you may render your PC unbootable. Nobody wants a dead computer.

I personally elect to use automatic removal, and I suggest it to all of my clients and friends. The reason is that automatic removal is easy, it's fast, and best of all, it protects the PC in the future. I can't afford to risk any mistakes.

Are you sick and tired of worrying about your safety and security? Don't let the hackers win. Remove XP Smart Security right away and get your computer finally clean and fast again!

Bob Walker is a veteran IT consultant with over twenty years of experience in the industry. He's helped clean up the computers of everyone from fortune 500 organizations to individual users and families. His website is dedicated to anti-spyware and virus removal research, where he ranks the most efficient anti-spyware and anti-virus programs currently available.

http://www.spyware-review.net

In the modern business world, computers are king. Widely present in offices of all types, from law firms to doctors' offices to the business world, these machines have the ability to store and quickly manipulate large amounts of data. Computers have been around in one form or another since the 1940s; however, it was only since the 1980s that computers enjoyed widespread use in business, with personal and networked computing truly gaining popularity when the Internet became widely available in the 1990s.

Accordingly, the number of computer-related careers has expanded considerably in availability and scope since then. There exist jobs for high- and low-level programming professionals; user interface designers; and software engineers. These jobs typically require extensive schooling, with additional experience acquired on the job.

There are, however, information technology and computer jobs that require significantly less schooling. Individuals are employed as network administrators; technical support professionals; and computer repair technicians -- and often, they are eligible for this sort of employment after just several months of study. This article will discuss some types of quick-study computer education and career training programs that lead to professional certification -- and often, directly to technology careers.

The A+ certification is designed to prove a student's abilities as a general computer technician. A+-certified technicians understand computer systems inside and out. They are as comfortable working with hardware (the "guts" of the computer) as they are with operating systems, software, networks, and files. They have the ability to troubleshoot computer problems and to achieve resolutions to those problems.

Students seeking technical support, computer repair, or networking administration careers often begin with the A+ certification. This certificate is recognized as showing worker competence and achievement in several computer- and technology-related fields. CompTIA sets the standards for this exam, which provides a good foundation for further competency classes and exams, such as Linux/UNIX exams and various network certifications. This certificate can lead to an entry-level technology career, from which the worker might eventually move to an advanced technical support or networking career.

The Network+ certification is also a CompTIA standardized exam. To prepare for this exam, students will study the basics of computer networking, as well as more advanced networking concepts. These concepts can include networking hardware; Ethernet setup and configuration; cable interface; network protocols like TCP/IP protocols, and wireless networking. Students will also study how to connect networked systems and to set up clients and servers for remote Internet access.

CompTIA suggests that individuals who wish to seek a career in the networking field should have 9 months of experience, or equivalent training, before sitting for the certification exam. There also exist a number of adult learning institutions and quick-study programs that can give students the appropriate levels of experience they will need for such an exam.

Like the A+ certification, the Network + certification also enables students to pursue further technology certifications, or to seek increasingly advanced computer technology career positions. The Network + certification is also good preparation for other certifications, such as those required by Cisco or Novell.

The Security 5 certification is established and administered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants. This organization considers it to be an entry-level security certification. Nonetheless, it is recommended that students or network administration career professionals possess the equivalent knowledge of A+ and Network + exam material if they wish to seek careers in network security.

This exam covers a variety of network and desktop security principles. Students will need to have a solid foundation of basic computer security concepts, like firewalls and hack-proof log-ins. They will also need to understand computer cryptography, e-mail and communications security, secure site and Web browser procedures, and file transfer/FTP security. Desktop and hard drive security, portable and wireless security, and secure computing with third-party devices are additional topics covered.

This exam, when combined with another professional certification or prior networking and information systems experience, can be a powerful career asset. For those computer users who are not employed in the networking or information sciences sectors, the Security 5 certification can be a great asset in protecting the privacy and integrity of personal data.

The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification is specific to information technology applications in the Windows desktop environment and Windows operating system. It is considered to be a beginner-level credential, and it demonstrates that an individual is competent in assisting end users and helping to test and troubleshoot Microsoft desktops and applications. This Microsoft certificate can be completed in tandem with other certifications supported by Microsoft, including the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification and the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDA).

Currently, professional Windows environments are in a transitory phase between Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista. Vista's large allocated operating memory requirements and compatibility difficulties have caused XP to remain widely used in the workplace -- so there are some career environments in which the MCDST, MOS, MCDA, and other certifications are necessary. Network administration specialists and information sciences students should be aware, however, that Microsoft is changing the certification requirements in accordance with the new Vista user interface and desktop functions.

Computer Career Center, with locations in Amarillo, TX and Lubbock, TX [http://www.computercareercenter.com/cccal/index.htm], offers training programs for several network administration certificates. Later in 2008, the school is planning to unveil new education and career training programs. These courses of study run one year or less, and are designed to grant network administration [http://www.computercareercenter.com/cccal/technical-career-education.htm], business administration, and medical assistant diplomas. For more information, visit the school's Web site, www.computercareercenter.com [http://www.computercareercenter.com/], or call (915) 779-8031. CCC is located at 6101 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79925.

A number of computer security products cater to every situation and every need. A surge protector is an electrical device commonly used to protect computers and related computer components from power surges. If a surge in the voltage occurs, causing the voltage to exceed the norm, the computer equipment can be damaged.

Security cables are a very effective method to protect computers. If a desktop is secured with a lock and cable, it prevents a thief from walking off with your property and data. Various types and sizes of chain or cable locks are available. These include desktop computer security combination lock, notebook security lock, cable lock with clip, flexible cable lock and cable lock with key holder.

The wireless fingerprint mouse is used to protect the information stored in the computer. Privacy filters protect your screen from anyone looking from either side to read what is on your screen. All information is protected from unauthorized eyes. Identity tags are small effective anti theft devices. A small aluminum bar coded plate is attached to your computer, to track it in case of theft. If the tag is removed the computer is permanently marked as stolen property. Projector alarms with siren will protect the computer.

A security shield handles all the downloaded information and technical support. It is simple to begin and easy to maintain. There is no setup cost and no ongoing costs for support. The security shield offers a competitive and aggressive cost per download.

Plates enjoy the best place in computer security. Plates attached to almost any desktop surface secure your computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, chassis and any peripheral device. Entrapments are gadgets that give the maximum level of security.

Security management software helps to protect your enterprise systems and servers against security threats, malicious attacks and configuration vulnerabilities, with strong security control and maintenance capabilities. With security management software you can perform patch management, execute anti spy ware management, carry out antivirus enforcement, do security threat management, block applications and perform systems management functions.

Computer Security provides detailed information on Computer Security, Computer Security Systems, Computer Network Securities, Computer Security Software and more. Computer Security is affiliated with Information Security Systems [http://www.e-InformationSecurity.com].

Network - what does the name signify? A picture of interlinking lines or roads is perhaps the first thing that flashes in your mind. Well computer network is also the same thing. It is a mechanism by which various computers in a terminal is connected to each other with or without a hardware line.

This network allows a person to access his office or home computer from anywhere in the world. Sounds great!! Well the advantages do come with its shortfalls. Before we move on, to the various type s of threats that plague the computer network. Let us first understand the different types of network. UCCP (Unix to Unix copy) - it was one of the oldest form of network that was used to connect two computers using the UNIX platform. Later on however it was used by PC's, Mac's Amiga's etc. The dynamics of this network was relatively simple and it used dial up system to connect two computers. This network system has witnessed a journey down south after the advent of the Internet. Today UCCP network is only used by people to copy files. Internet - today people use the Internet even before they have properly learned to speak and walk. But what is an Internet. it's nothing but a network of interconnected computers which is linked with a central host used for exchanging facts and information. The Internet works b using a open protocol known as the TCP/IP. Now there are various ways that this TCP/ IP protocol can be thrown at risk.

Since TCP/IP is a open network it is difficult to determine from where the packets originated. The authentication proof is absent which makes it vulnerable to outside threat. There is another threat called IP spoofing where a particular sender uses the IP address of another sender and uses it to send potentially harmful content. the most dangerous of all these is IP session hijacking where a hacker actually hijacks the session of a user and uses his IP to do anything with his account.

Now that we know about network security, let us understand how a network security works. A network security works by using various hardware and software components that are installed in the computer to ensure safety of information. This is accomplished by using anti virus and anti spy ware software. By using firewalls which stops a person from having unauthorized access into your computer. by identifying attacks from fast spreading threats in the web world and lastly by Virtual private networks (VPN's ) which are used to make remote access login more safer.

So far so good, but on the flip side the management of big companies should be very cautious while implementing network security. Firewalls should in no way hamper the independent working environment of an employee and should not interfere with a persons right to access information for his official or personal usage

The Importance of Firewalls to Network Security

Most networks should have a firewall in place before they are up and running. A firewall is the most common form of network security employed by companies large and small. If you own a personal computer your anti-virus software company may at one time or another have offered you firewall protection.

A firewall on a home network is just as important as one on a corporate network. Why? Most smaller networks have as many security issues that larger corporate networks have. A firewall helps protect a network against potential data loss, corruption and hackers.

What Is A Firewall

A firewall is nothing more than a fancy term used to describe a blockade that prevents outside forces from accessing your network. It is called a firewall because it prevent information or data loss from one place to another. Typically a firewall is some program or hardware that you have to install in your computer that helps filter information coming from the Web to your computer network. A firewall provides a series of filters that screens information allowing only safe information to pass through to your network.

In a large company, multiple computers are often linked using network cards. Companies usually provide multiple connections to the Internet. In order to protect all of these computers a firewall is necessary so that only certain people can access corporate computers through the Web (those that are authorized to do so). While a firewall is not foolproof it basically does a good job of protecting computers from Internet threats at their connection points.

Article by Frank Owen, visit his web site on network security [http://www.networksecurityinsider.com] for more information on network security [http://www.networksecurityinsider.com]

A firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It does this by filtering out the data sent by attackers.

There are two main types of firewalls.

Hardware Firewalls
Software Firewalls

A hardware firewall is generally considered to be more secure than a software firewall. This is because a software firewall is integrated into the vulnerable operating system of the target machine. Whereas a hardware firewall uses an obscure proprietary operating system programmed by the manufacturer.

Since the software firewall is more common this post will cover the following details of firewall software.

Functions
Configuration
Types

Functions of Firewall Software:

The function of firewall software within a network is similar to that of a building with fire doors. Just as a firewall of a building is meant to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent building structures, firewall software prevents intruders and malware from infecting your computer or network.

Firewall software permits the flow of relevant data and blocks all irrelevant and suspicious data from entering. Relevant files such as legitimate communications, video files, music files, or photo files which are retrieved while browsing or surfing on Internet, are allowed to enter into your computer or network.

Irrelevant or bad data such as hacker scripts or programs that are placed on the Internet to corrupt important files, steal personal information, or hijack your system are blocked. Hackers generally attempt to invade computer files through your computer's ports.

A Firewall forms a protective layer and takes the responsibility of monitoring your computer ports. It also regulates the flow of incoming and outgoing data. It acts as a barrier to hackers.

Many people have the misconception that antivirus software is completely protecting their computers from hackers. However, antivirus software can fail to protect your computer against severe hacker attacks.

Regardless of the type of Internet connection (dial-up, DSL, or broadband connection), your computer is at great risk while it is hooked up to the Internet.

Many software firewalls come with a user interface that is easy to understand and preset security levels. In addition, hardware firewalls are incredibly secure and not very expensive. Home versions that include a router, firewall and ethernet hub for broadband connections can be found for well under $100.

Proper Configuration of Firewall:

Firewall software can be worthless if it is not properly configured. Standard security procedure usually follows a default DENY rule. Which means that only selected network connections are allowed. Unfortunately, use of such a configuration requires a thorough knowledge of your network's application and its end points, and the day-to-day activities of your organization.

Deficient of such knowledge, many businesses therefore use a default ALLOW rule. This rule blocks only specified traffic and allows the flow of non-specified traffic. Such a configuration can cause unwanted network connections and the system is also more susceptible to being compromised.

Your best bet is to read the documentation and instructions and configure your firewall according to the needs of your organization or network. Additionally, you should periodically review the logs to see who has been trying to connect to your network and adjust your firewall's setting accordingly to mitigate new threats.

Once you have a firewall in place, you should test it. A great way to do this is to go to http://www.grc.com and try their free Shields Up! Security test. You will get immediate feedback on just how secure your system is.

The author is a computer security professional with experience protecting small business and home networks. He also teaches the basics of computer network security at 365 Computer Security Training where he blogs regularly and creates video training and educational materials related to information security. Learn more at http://www.365ComputerSecurityTraining.com

In part one I explained why you need to secure your wireless network. I'm glad you came back to part two. Let's get started. I am going to use a Buffalo Nfinity wireless router for this demonstration. The thing to remember is that what I am going to show you here can be done on any wireless router. You may have to check your documentation to find where the settings are for what you are trying to accomplish in the web interface of your router.

Note: If this is a used router the first thing you need to do is reset it. Find the documentation for detailed instructions on doing this. It will set your router back to factory defaults. It is usually just a matter of pressing the reset button on the back of the router.

If your router came with a setup disk feel free to use it to set your network up. Once it is complete please continue with this document to make sure it did everything is was suppose to.

DISCLAIMER:

While every reasonable precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the author is not responsibLE for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. The information contained in this document is believed to be accurate. However, no guarantee is provided. Use this information at your own risk.

The first step is to setup your router. Please follow the getting started documentation that came with your router. If you do not have documentation go to the manufacturer's web site and download it. If you do not want to do that you basically do this. Set the router up and do not plug it in. Unplug the network cable from your computer going to the modem and move it to the router in the port labeled WAN. There will be five ports on the back of your router. This will be the one that is setting by itself. Next, plug an Ethernet cable from any of the four open ports on your router and connect it to your computer.

Just to make sure there are no issues, reboot the modem. After it completely boots plug in the router and let it boot. After about a minute you should be able to access the Internet.

First we need to configure the router. You will need to find the documentation for your router for this next step. You need to find the IP address of the router. All manufacturers have a default IP address for their series of routers. Linksys uses 192.168.1.1, NetGear uses 192.168.0.1 and the default IP Address of the router I am using is 192.168.11.1. If you cannot find the documentation try this. Click on the Start button and then choose Run. Press the Enter key. A DOS window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter. The ip address of you computer will be displayed. Normally, the IP address of your router will be the same as the first three octets off your IP adress and the final number will be a 1. For example, if your IP address is 192.168.1.2 your router's IP address will be 192.168.1.1. Some routers have the default IP address that ends in 254. If you can't find the IP address of your router, in the DOS window type tracert http://www.google.com and press Enter. The first line will show the IP address of your router.

Open Internet Explorer, or better yet FireFox ,and in the address bar enter the IP address of your router and press Enter. You will be asked for a user name and password. Again, this is in your documentation. If you do not know, or cannot find the documentation go to a site that list the default usernames and passwords for popular routers. Those links are available in this article posted on my site. After successfully passing credentials to the router the configuration interface will display. Let's look at the status of your router. Find a tab or link that shows, your guessed it, the status of your router. The one on my router is labeled System Info. This page shows your IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and the DNS servers. Check out my website posted below and find the article labeled "Understanding the Terminology You will find it in Articles" if you would like to know what all those terms mean. You should see something like this.

You are ready to make your first change. You will set a password on your router. You don't want them to be able to change the settings you are about to make. You should set a fairly strong password, in other words, no words found in the dictionary, a minimum of 8 characters, upper and lower case and at least one number. This will make it secure. To test your password go here and see how strong and see how strong it is. Find the page to set the router password. Mine is Admin Config. You normally cannot change the administrative user name, but you can change the password. Type in your password, then verify it, then press the button to save it.

The next thing you need to do is set the name of your wireless network. This would be changing the field labeled SSID . Mine is in a section labeled Basic Wireless Configuration. Set this to anything you want. You may not want to set it to your last name if you have people around you that may try to crack your network if they know it is yours. I personally do not care about that so I set mine to HAG. Set the name and apply it. The router will reboot and place you back on that screen.

This is the name that will be broadcast to clients looking for a network. If it is secured they will be asked for a key. Without the key they cannot connect to the network. It is more secure to not broadcast your SSID, but that is not part of part one. If you want to strengthen your network just keep reading. For now, just allow the SSID to be broadcast. It will make connecting a client to it much easier if you have not done this before.

The final, but most important, piece of part one. You need to choose an encryption type for your network You will have a large number of choices, way too many to cover here. I will just give you my suggestions, and tell you which ones to not even consider, and why. Find the Wireless Security section of the router web interface. Mine is Wireless Security Settings. Here is where it gets confusing. You may see the terms WEP, WPA, WPA Pre-Shared Key, WPA2, WPA personal, WPA Enterprise, WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Enterprise, TKIP, AES, RADIUS and No Encryption. Which one do you choose? There are going to be a bunch of different opinions on this one. You want to choose the strongest one. This will vary from user to user, and you may have to back the encryption down, but I'll tell you how and why. First, what do all these acronyms stand for? Here we go:


WEP (Wired Equivelancy Privacy)
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
WPA2 (Version 2 of WPA)
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Prtotcol)
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)

Which one(s) to choose:


No Encryption (Answer that one yourself)
WEP (The lease secure. Avoid using it if possible)
WPA (Good)
WPA2 (Best)
TKIP (Good)
AES (Best)

Sounds pretty cut and dry doesn't it? WPA2-AES. That is the first one you will want to try. Here is going to be the problem. If the wireless card you are using does not support it then it simply won't work. If this is the case drop back to WPA2 -TKIP. Does it work? No. Try WPA-AES, then WPA-TKIP, then lastly WEP. You may also see TKIP+AES. This is fine. It will try AES first, if not successful drop back to TKIP automatically. For WPA and WPA2 use the personal settings. Enterprise and RADIUS require other hardware and is meant for what it says, enterprises.

That is only one part of this. The other is the key strength. In WEP you will have a choice of 64 bits 10 hex digits and 128 bit 26 hex digits. What is a hex digit? These are hex digits 0-9 and A-F. Hexadecimal is base 16. If you add the digits between 0-F you will have 16 digits. I got off track there, but if you didn't know, now you do. In WPA and WPA2 you will be presented with either a pass phrase, or shared key. Try to use a minimum of 8 digits, letters, upper/lowercase and words not found in the dictionary, but preferably 20 or more. I use WPA-AES with a 25 digit/character password.

Once you do this you have a secure network. You can now attach a wireless client to it to test it. This test will allow you to see if your network card will support the encryption you chose. If it will not connect start backing the encryption down as described above.

I'm going to show you how to connect using Windows Wireless Network Connection tool. If you are using a third party tool, like Broadcom Wireless Lan tool the Windows tool will not be available. To make it available you need to close the third party tool. Right click on it in the system tray (The tray by the clock) and exit the tool. If this is not available try this:


Right click on My Computer and choose Manage.
Click the plus (+) next to Services and Applications.
Highlight (Click) on Services.
To make it easier to see click on the Standard tab.

Look for the service that is handling your wireless connections. Mine is Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray Service. Right click on it and choose Stop.

Now that you have no services managing your wireless connections, while still in the services window, go down to Wireless Zero Configuration . Right click on it and choose Start. You have now enabled the Wireless Network Connections tool.

Note: When you reboot, or log off, these settings will be lost. If you want to keep them you will have to disable the service for the third party tool and make sure Windows Zero Configuration is set to Automatic.

Right click on the wireless icon in the system tray and choose View Available Wireless Networks.

You will now see all the wireless networks with range of your wireless card. If you live in a well populated neighborhood don't be surprised to see a lot of them. Some of them will probably be unsecured.

Just for the fun of it try to connect to it. You will be informed that you are connecting to an unsecured network. If you click Yes you will be connected to your neighbors network. Disconnect if you do that since we are going to connect you to you secured network. Highlight (Click) on your network and choose Connect.

You will be asked for your network key. Enter the key, press the Tab key, then enter it again. Once you are done click on the Connect button.

You will be connected to your secure network and can now surf the net.

The key word here is You! You are the only one connected to your network.

This concludes PART2 If you would like to strengthen your security please read PART3. I hope to see you there!

A direct link to this article, complete with images and links to the tools mentioned can be found at TechAlternatives

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Computer Education Vocational Studies introduces students to the many aspects of computer technology. Depending on the school, the computer course may include the subjects of programming, software development, web development, problem-solving, troubleshooting, and computer graphics, to name a few. The best part is students can gain the analytical skills, hands-on experience, and technological know-how necessary in today's rapidly expanding technological marketplace.

A vocational computer education allows students to concentrate on developing a basic understanding of computers; they may specialize in digital electronics, artificial intelligence, software engineering, computer networks, operating systems, information technology (IT) or computer design. Computer education programs in technology teach the various basic science and engineering concepts through lectures and laboratory classroom study.

Students in vocational computer education programs can expect to develop expertise in all computer functions and know-how in computer applications. Once basic comprehension in the foundations of computer functions is developed, students can opt to choose more advanced computer education courses, such as the uses of computer hardware and software and computer networking. Advanced students can study the application of methods and technology to solve computer problems.

Programs of study in vocational computer education programs can net the student a certificate or an associate degree in Computer Science. Students may opt for an emphasis on web development, networks, databases, information security, or technical support.

If you are interested in learning more about a Computer Education and accredited Computer Schools or Online Computer Schools, research our website today and find the right school for you!

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Vocational Schools, Trade Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

The vast network of cyber-space presents - or, can harbor -- major threats to the security of personal computers; LAN and WAN networks; and wireless Internet networks. Trained computer networking specialists who are experts in cyber-security are needed to secure networks and computer systems for effective data storage and retrieval. Just as importantly, they are needed to secure the privacy and integrity of personal and corporate identities. These professionals can find work in private firms, in consulting, or at the state and federal government levels. Most individuals complete at least a bachelor's degree before working in the cyber-security field.

Hackers pose special threats to computer network security. These technology and networking experts use their insider information to grant themselves access to computer networks, without permission. Our modern computing environment is an open one, and individuals with systems and software knowledge - or, even, persons with the gumption to steal data or computing devices - can easily get their hands on very sensitive information.

Much information should be kept private, and serious damage can ensue if this information falls into the hands of hackers. One of the greatest risks to business computer and personal computer users who are working on unsecured networks is identity theft. A cyber-thief can use a personal or company address; financial and credit card information; or even a personal social security number to steal money from individual or corporate accounts. This is a serious crime - one with far-reaching consequences, including ruined credit records -- and increasingly easy to commit in today's open-computing, technology-heavy environment. Cyber-security professionals who are adept at designing secure, hack-proof information systems and networks are needed to win the fight against identity theft.

Spyware and viruses pose another threat to the integrity and security of computer data. Spyware is installed on a computer without the user knowing, and can collect personal data or interfere with computer applications or run-time. Viruses are computer programs that replicate themselves to infect the machines, often damaging files or even hard drives in the process. There now exist several types of anti-virus and anti-spyware software that can be installed on a personal computer or on networked office computers for low or no cost. Security professionals on IT repair teams might be trained in the use of this software. Some professionals might provide security consulting services to businesses and individuals, as well.

Skilled cyber-security professionals also know how to install and maintain firewalls. These pieces of software or computer appliances are security devices that monitor activity between networks - usually, networks with different levels of security and access. Firewalls might restrict permissions to various Internet activities or Web sites. The level of security firewalls provide on large business networks can be changed or altered by security administrators. There exist many types of firewalls, including network layers and proxy servers. Understanding what each type of firewall does, and when it should be applied are main responsibilities of a cyber-security student; typically, he or she will take several classes about firewalls to complete a network security degree.

Design and evaluation of secure computer network systems are special skills, in which cyber-security information systems professionals must be proficient. Secure network architecture is imperative in preventing hacking and threats to information integrity. Some cyber security professionals will be employed as business consultants, routinely evaluating system security software, and creating and testing secure network systems.

Finally, some cyber-security professionals might be employed to work on major projects and contracts where information privacy and integrity is vital. The U.S. Department of Defense or the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in Washington, D.C., for example, need cyber-security specialists to create networks that will protect highly sensitive or classified data. Similarly, cyber-security specialists are needed in biology and scientific research centers, such as those found in universities and hospitals, to make sure data and findings remain secure. Specific federal regulations outline how these findings should be secured, so specialists can help these research centers stay compliant.

The field of cyber-security is a constantly evolving and important area of information systems science. Individuals pursuing an education in this challenging and lucrative field will be sure to find fascinating work and a lifetime of learning throughout their careers.

Potomac College, an adult learning school [http://www.potomac.edu/articles/adult-learner-college.php] with campuses in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia, offers a bachelors degree program in information systems, with a concentration in cyber-security. For more information, visit the school's Web site, www.potomac.edu.

In the last few years there has been an explosion of wireless (Wi-Fi) networks in the home. And for good reason: They are inexpensive to implement, avoid the cost and labor of running cable through your walls, allow you to roam merrily around your house and near environs with computer in tow. Plus, they are relatively simple to set up. I say "relatively" because it's far from a matter of commonsense, especially when it comes to setting up wireless home networks "properly."

You can get a home wireless network running in a basic way- to access the Internet--by simply hooking up the cables that came with the wireless router device. This is what a lot of people do, and it usually works. But what many people neglect to do is set up wireless security, and this is an extremely risky oversight. In this article I'll explain why.

You Can Get "WarChalked"

"WarChalking" is geek-speak for someone piggybacking or freeloading on someone else's wireless Internet connection, without that person's knowledge or consent.

If you have an unsecured wireless network this is the least that could happen. Your neighbor might be getting free Internet access by connecting to your unsecured broadband router. There is nothing to prevent this from happening if you have not set up your wireless security. At the very least this practice of leaching on someone else's Internet connection can drain the victim's bandwidth, causing sluggish downloads or surfing. If enough people tap into your wireless network your Internet connection could slow down to a crawl.

Your Computer Can Get Hacked

Having an unsecured wireless network can also allow people unauthorized access into your computer and private data. It opens up a "backdoor" even if your network is otherwise protected behind a firewall. Connecting wirelessly to your Internet gateway device (i.e., your Cox, Comcast, or Qwest modem) puts an unauthorized user on the "inside" of your network, just as if they snuck into your house and hooked up to your network with an Ethernet cable.

Pretty scary, right? It gets much worse.

Your Private Information or Identity Can Be Stolen

If you purchase anything online you need to submit very personal information to the website selling the product or service: information like credit card numbers, social security numbers, bank account numbers, usernames and passwords, etc.

Even if the website in question encrypts your private information during the submission process, there's little to prevent an eavesdropper from snooping in on the transaction or installing software on your computer that logs your every keystroke.

Your Home Network Can Be Used to Mask Someone Else's Illegal Activity

Every wireless home network (or more accurately, every wireless gateway device) will have a unique address traceable to its owner and his or her household. This is called an "IP Address"-let's say 71.33.56.166. This number uniquely identifies your home network from the countless others in the world. No two are ever the same.

This IP Address is unique for many reasons, and one reason is that it allows certain authorities to trace online activities back to the individual, household, or company from which those activities originated. Even though you may feel anonymous when you're surfing the Web, you really are not. Any webserver or Internet Service Provider can keep a log that records your IP Address, among other information about your computer and software.

Now, this doesn't bother most people, unless they're privacy advocates, because they're not doing anything criminal on the Internet. But it's a big problem for those who are committing crimes on the Web. How can they get around this?

They can tap into an unsecured wireless network in the neighborhood. This makes it very easy for them to get around being identified by the proper authorities. Why? Because it is you and your home network that will be identified instead! It's your IP Address that will be recorded.

Not many people want to get their doors kicked in by the FBI during a predawn raid due to someone else's Internet activities. Someone could be using your wireless network to download or distribute child pornography, hack into corporate networks, or to commit credit card fraud.

Okay, Now I'm Scared. What Can I Do To Prevent This?

The quick and easy way is to hire a professional computer or network technician to secure your wireless network for you, or at least verify that you have done it properly.

Each wireless router or gateway device can be different when it comes to how to set up its security. The device should come with instructions from the manufacturer or your ISP.

The most important thing is to set up the WEP or Wireless Encryption Protocol. WEP is what encrypts the data stream between your computer and whatever webserver on the Internet you are connecting to, preventing unauthorized interlopers from eavesdropping on your online activities, credit card transactions, and the like.

Just as importantly, it also prevents unauthorized individuals from connecting to your wireless network, either to piggyback on your Internet connection for free or to conceal their identities behind your own. They must have the encryption key to connect.

There are also additional measures you can take to protect your wireless network. For example, you can disable the feature that broadcasts your wireless network ID, for all practical purposes making your wireless network invisible to your neighbors. This is a smart thing to do but is often overlooked.

Chris Brehm
Tucson Computer Repair Service
Chris@Smbaz.com
http://www.TucsonComputerRepairService.com

Lacking creativity but loaded with technical intelligence? Network security is a great career to try out in the IT industry.

This field involves securing the information uploaded by various institutions online using authentication processes, firewalls and encryption so that the attacks of potential viruses and hackers can be curtailed. Network security is gaining prominence as greater reliance is placed on the internet. In all spheres of life there is always some level of computer dependency and with the rise of harmful viruses and spiteful hackers, it is necessary to maintain utmost security.

Reality 101

This field demands a great deal of technological insight as network police have to keep themselves updated with all the latest forms of viruses so that they can formulate accurate and effective defense mechanisms. As a network security analyst, you will be expected to create the entire defensive framework of various websites and online data bases using all your computing knowledge.

The first step in network security is authentication and this is achieved in two main levels:


One Factor Authentication - This involves the use of a username and password to distinguish between visitors and protect the site from unauthorized users. This is a popular form of authentication which you must undoubtedly be familiar with.
Two Factor Authentication - For this you require a security token like an ATM card or a mobile phone to further support your entry. Network security analysts are thus expected to provide the framework that allows this process to further strengthen the security of the site.

Security analysts must also make use of firewalls which ensure that each user is able to see only the data he is authorized to see. This provides additional security to the information on the site. However, firewalls do not give adequate protection against worms or Trojan viruses and so anti-virus software is needed to protect against attacks. Security analysts will also be expected to create anomaly-based intrusion detection systems which will be able to notify the administrator in the event of suspicious behavior to further protect the information. Encryption must also be used to ensure conversations between users remain private and to avoid information loss.

Essentially, a good network security analyst makes use of a wide variety of security measures to protect data. However, this is not a one-time job; security analysts have to constantly monitor the security of their sites and take immediate action whenever the security is compromised. By analyzing previous attacks, they can formulate advanced security frameworks that can effectively deal with future attacks.

This is definitely a crucial occupation within the IT industry that facilitates the basic success of all other sectors. Without a security analyst, private information could be leaked or stolen and the internet would no longer be the useful platform that it is. That being said, there are difficulties as the blame for a compromised web site ultimately falls on the head of the security analyst who has created the defense framework.

As a career, network security is perfect for individuals who are extremely familiar with protocols like transmission control protocol, and internet protocol (TCP/IP). TCP and IP are the basic means for communication between computers and thus to create a security system, one must appreciate them. By fully understanding these protocols one will be able to detect any irregularities on sites and thus fix them efficiently.

Thus there is a heavy workload upon a network security analyst but it is definitely a rewarding career that will expand your technological skills.

The Inside Scoop

Here is a look at the concepts a future network security analyst must know:


Understanding of Basic Protocols - As mentioned before, protocols are the foundation of relations in the online world and hence to be a good network security analyst you will have to be extremely comfortable in understanding these protocols.

Understanding of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) - IDS are present in all secure websites and so a good security analyst will have experience in checking the packets logged in by the IDS to monitor site activity and avoid hackers and viruses. More often than not the IDS will log false attacks but you will never know if they really are false unless you check them. For this you need to be well-versed in the understanding of IDS.

Firewalls and Routers - Firewalls ensure that data is not easily available to everyone and routers manage traffic. The two are extremely important for the successful working of any website and so a security analyst must be able to use them efficiently to provide the highest degree of protection. This involves a great deal of practical application as the settings have to be tweaked to suit the particular site. Setting up routers is a somewhat confusing process but as a security analyst you will be expected to be able to do this with ease.

Reading of Code and Programming - By being knowledgeable in programming and in reading code you will be able to analyze intrusion attempts better.

Ethical Hacking - A security analyst can also use hacking skills to identify weak areas in a site and thus tweak the security framework. This process is extremely effective as it allows you to detect weaknesses before they are found and misused by spiteful hackers.

Besides the knowledge of these concepts, you should also have the following attributes:


Patience - Network security demands continuous attention and you will have to check through numerous security reports as well as monitor the daily functioning of the site under your authority and this demands a great deal of patience.

Adaptability - The sites you work on will all have different security demands. For instance, a government site will need extremely strong protection while a site advertising a product will need a bare minimum. You should be familiar with all levels of network security.

Quick Thinking - You need to be able to solve problems as fast as possible as delays can lead to detrimental losses of important information which must be avoided at all costs. Any threat to the system must be instantaneously detected and deflected.

Sweet Sensations

You don't need a cape or a superpower to save the world anymore! Instead, you can just become a network security analyst and prevent the 'bad guys' of the world from getting their hands on valuable information, even if it is just product details or opinions on the latest Apple product! Being a security analyst gives you a great deal of power as you alone are responsible for protecting the integrity of important information; this is a great title to have!

Being a part of the network police is a really cool job to talk about as your role is similar to that of a policeman, only better! You can work from the comfort of your home while still doing the world a great service by protecting its vital information!

Plus, the other guys at your workplace will undoubtedly treat you like a God as you alone hold in your hands the power to protect their information! There is thus no greater status than that of a network security analyst!

As a security analyst you will always be in demand and that kind of attention can only do wonders for your ego! Yes, you don't need a fancy car to have all eyes on you, you can just hold the key to the defense framework of some of the world's most important websites and your life will be made!

Hurdles and Challenges

The demands that are placed upon a network security analyst are enormous. You will be assaulted by numerous security violations and glitches that you alone will have to sort out every so often. And if anything goes wrong, you alone will be blamed for everything and you will have to fix each problem and account for data loss.

Moreover, the industry is cruel when it comes to working hours and your constant attention is required to maintain the security of the sites under your control. This is no nine-to-five job, it's a twenty four-hour commitment to protecting information and you will often have to update the security framework you spend weeks creating to keep up with the changing threats.

Fruits of Labor

Primary

The average salary paid to network security analysts is around $73,000 per year. As with all other professions in the IT industry, the number increases with experience and so perseverance in the field can get you a salary between $80,000 and $90,000.

The firm you work for also determines the salary: while government jobs pay around $78,000 a year, senior analysts in corporate firms can earn up to $97,000.

Studies have shown that the salaries in this field are increasing as time goes by and so this is a promising and rewarding career to look into.

Secondary

Naturally this career comes with several perks which make it a good field to go into. Your services can be looked upon as a great contribution to the overall security of the online world and you will have considerable access to information that many would kill to know! Moreover, your value will never be doubted so if you're good at what you do, things can only get better!

By working a network security you are also setting yourself up for an extremely steady career as there is sure to be a continuous demand for security analysts as the world makes increasing use of the internet. As time goes by, there will only be a proliferation of spiteful hackers and your existence is thus essential to the survival of the world!

Becoming a security analyst is a fulfilling career choice that is sure to keep you on your toes and to broaden your knowledge of the technological world. If you work well, you stand to gain immensely.

Essential Tools

From Home

Practice, practice and more practice should be the dictum you live by! You can't expect to be paid millions the minute you enter the industry so it's worth spending time learning the ropes of coding, programming and intrusion detection so that you can advance through all the low-paying levels and get into the real money-making position!

Experience increases your pay check and so you should spend a great deal of time learning security techniques and making yourself aware of all the latest security threats. Take control of several small-scale websites at first to get a feel of what is expected and then progress to more complex ones so that you are well-versed in what you will need to do once you get employed.

From School

Look for degrees that offer practical exposure as well as regular lectures so that you get a chance to practice what you learn. Certification is essential in this career as it demands many skills which are difficult to acquire on your own. Moreover, firms prefer well-qualified employees and degrees will open up your mind and allow you to best appreciate threats and formulate effective ways to combat them.

You can take up a Masters degree in security information or do courses in security management which are readily available at most well-known universities.

You could also check out the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium which provides the following qualifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certification and Accreditation Professional (CAP) and Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). These certifications are recognized worldwide for providing a comprehensive learning experience that will be extremely valuable for a future career in the field of network security.

Another important association to take note of is the Information Systems Audit and Control Association which also provides good courses to take.

At the Job

While working you should make yourself familiar with the numerous sites online and try to analyze the security systems they have used. Practice makes perfect so make sure you really get involved and contribute greatly to whatever assignment you have been given.

This isn't a career where you can sit back and relax once you've done your work; by constantly checking the sites under your control you will be able to keep yourself updated on any new threats and by designing protection to keep up with changing threats you will evolve as a security analyst and become better at what you do.

To Conclude

Network policing is a vital feature of the internet that prevents untoward incidents. It is thus a promising career choice for those with technological acumen and dedication to the cause of preventing information loss. Understandably, this is no easy job: it demands a great deal of concentration and focus and you have to be able to change rapidly to meet the new demands. Each day brings forth new threats that need to be dealt with and thus network security is a crucial department in all firms that have online websites. Thus, finding a job in this field is no problem if you are good at what you do and maintain an undying interest in learning the tricks of the trade.

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In a white paper released last November by RSA, research from ordinary person-on-the street interviews with random office workers revealed troubling trends for those concerned with information security. Sometimes in an honest effort to finish their work from home or while traveling, sometimes through simple carelessness, but in either case without intending to put secure information at risk, employees from all sectors of the workplace admitted to behaviors which do, in fact, put secure information at risk.

In interviews conducted in Boston and Washington, D.C., employees from both the public and the private sector answered "frequently," "sometimes," or "never" to questions probing their own customary behavior and also to questions asking what they had observed in their workplace. Employers with international networks full of proprietary and confidential private information, including social security numbers and other personally identifying information, were reported by nearly 20% of private enterprise employees as routinely leaving networks set up for conference room and guest use open and available, without a password, to anyone who might walk in.

Employees themselves, with their own logins and passwords, accessed their work-network at home, in airports, in hotel and restaurant hot-spots, and even, at times, on public access hotel or internet cafe-type computer terminals. In fact, the number of workers who retrieved their work e-mail from a public access computer was slightly higher than the number who used their own laptop but at a public wireless hotspot. Both numbers, however, were over 50%. Since well over 80% of workers reported that they "frequently" or "sometimes" conduct business over some kind of network away from their workplace, one can conclude that perhaps 30% of employees access work from a home computer, either by modem high speed internet connection.

More knowledge of security protocols will not solve the problem, according to RSA. Almost all employees confirm that they have been trained in their employer's security policies and that they are familiar with those policies. Nevertheless, they hold doors to secure areas open for persons they don't recognize, they notice people they don't know working in empty offices without comment, and they find themselves with access to parts of the network they know they have no need to see.

Perhaps most troubling, a full third of all employees surveyed answered "yes" to the question, "Do you ever feel that you need to work around your company's established security policies and procedures just to get your job done."

RSA concluded its report, provocatively titled "The Confessions Report," with a summary of its findings and a set of "Recommendations for Managing Information Risk." The recommendations call for a "holistic, information-centric security strategy [that] takes people, processes and technology into account and has a feedback mechanism." Clearly, an alert has been sounded.

Christopher is an Information Security Consultant for Lexan Systems LLC. You are welcome to reproduce this article on Computer Security related web site, as long as you reproduce the article in full, including this resource box and link to our website.

First of all, what is a network?

The network we refer to here is the computer network, which has so many definitions from too many sources whether on the internet or elsewhere. Simply put, a network is the inter-connection of cables and other communications media, connectivity equipment such as switches and routers, electronic devices such as computers, printers, scanners, plotters, etc., for the purpose of sharing data and resources.

Whoa! Now, that doesn't sound simple at all, does it? Alright, let's give it a second try...

A Network is the inter-connection of communications media, connectivity equipment, and electronic devices for the purpose of sharing data and resources.

Now, that wasn't too hard, was it? And here's the second question...

What is Security?

This one is easy, as the word security means safety or safekeeping, protection or well-being.

So simply put, Network Security refers to any undertaking designed to protect the network.

Why do we have to protect or "Secure" the network?

We need to protect the network because there are constant threats against the "resources" we share in the network. These could be valuable information or data about our employees and clients, or more importantly about our products or businesses. Most of these threats come in the form of:

* Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses

* Spyware and adware

* Zero-day attacks, also called zero-hour attacks

* Hacker attacks

* Denial of service attacks

* Data interception and theft

* Identity theft

In order for us to fully understand what "Network Security Solution" is all about, we must also understand how Network Security works. Because there are a variety of threats, there is no single solution. We need multiple layers of security, so that if one fails, the attacker would have to deal with the next layer.

Network Security Systems are usually composed of many components of both software and hardware which are designed to work together to improve security and minimize maintenance. The software must be relentlessly updated to prevent from new threats.

These components include:

* Anti-virus and anti-spyware

* Firewall, to block unauthorized access to your network

* Intrusion prevention systems (IPS), to detect and block attacks

* Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), to provide secure remote access

With hundreds of thousands of viruses and trojans just waiting to infect your computer when given the right opportunity, do you really have any reason not to have some form of Windows Web Security?

The Internet is a technological marvel that allows unprecedented levels of communication, but many unscrupulous individuals use the technology to wreak havoc among Internet users by creating viruses and other malware. Protecting yourself against these threats should be your main priority, especially if you use your computer to conduct business online.

Many people do not understand the various types of malware and how they can negatively impact your PC performance, or even expose private data that has no business in the hands of others. Better understanding how these malware programs work will provide you with insight into the protection you need for your computer.

Two of the most common types of malware that affect computers today are viruses and trojans. Viruses are the most lethal to any computer since they can attach themselves to any executable file on your computer, replicate, and essentially destroy your system before you know what has happened. Preventing this type of replication and destruction should be your main priority, which is why an anti-virus is necessary.

Trojans are aptly named since they provide a back door into your computer's network that allows the hacker that spread the trojan the ability to access any personal information on your computer. While trojans do not operate the same as a virus in that they do not destroy your computer, they are just as bad since they provide a back door to personal information. This can be devastating if you have ever used your credit card or bank account online, since the hacker can gain access to that information.

Aside from viruses and trojans that can destroy your computer and leave paths for hackers to collect your personal information, you must also worry about spyware and adware installing themselves on your computer. These are less of a threat than viruses and trojans, but they can directly affect the performance of your computer, bogging it down and eating up precious processing time, causing your computer to respond very sluggishly. To top it off, these sorts of programs usually have some sort of feature that phones home, reporting your browser history and other private details you may not want revealed.

With so many threats to computers in the wild, you can see the benefit of having a secure anti-virus and spyware solution that will protect you when you need it most. When considering a solution for protection, you need to make sure your suite will protect against viruses, trojans, spyware, and adware, otherwise you are paying for a solution that does not have you 100% covered. In addition, an anti-virus suite that auto-updates with the latest virus definitions should be your top priority, so you know you are protected from the latest threats.

Windows web security can be difficult to understand with so many different threats out there, but with the proper anti-virus software installed on each computer in your home, it is something you should not have to worry about, as long as you keep the program up to date.

For more info and free downloadable Windows Web Security software take a look at the Windows Apps website.

Thanks!

Kevin