Share it !
For the smooth functioning of a company, computer networks and internet connectivity is a must. But with these requirements, is associated the risk of getting hacked or inviting virus from different sources. The ability to provide a secured system of protection from unauthorized entry, relives the companies of huge mind racking troubles.
Reams and reams of pages of information and innumerable data are located in the computer systems and servers of some companies. Not only are these important for the day to day functioning of the organization, but also they have a bearing on the working of many people. Such data protection is mandatory for the organizations and for this, they will have to entrust their system in the hands of a competent information security audit agency.
By doing a detailed audit of the security system in the network, the agency comes to know about the loopholes that might be present. In a computer network, there are a number of points of entry because there are a number of computers and these are being used by people for different works. Moreover, the link is also present to the servers. Despite of sufficient antivirus, or malware protections, it is possible to breach the information security cordon.
When the audit is done, the experts in the agency work with the method of penetration testing. In such a method, these experts use their know how to first try and enter into the given network by ethical hacking measures. Any network is penetrable and this is what these experts believe in and they try to find as many possible entry points as they can find. With the penetrability tests, the agency comes to know about the possible modifications and the points at which these modifications are required.
Most of the companies dealing in information security are nowadays adopting these measures so that the baseline assessment of the security of the computer network is done from the outside. The penetration test is a simulation of the hostile network attacks which are done in a covert manner by possible hackers or virus makers. By means of such tests, the information security personnel are able to know about the points of vulnerabilities and potential entryways into sensitive data in the given IT infrastructure security system.
The information security audit is done by means of port scanning, vulnerability identification of operating system, web application, antivirus, and other components of the networks. Then the audit is analyzed and reports of penetration testing are put under scrutiny. This helps in charting out an organized network security system. The expenditure, blue print of security programming, and operational procedures of the future securities are laid down for the benefit of the client companies.
By means of the information security audit, companies will be able to lay bare their existing system. This will also lead them to rethink their information security strategy and give them an opportunity to upgrade it or renew it. Without the proper assessment of the security system, it is not possible to know if it is weak or is providing adequate protection. With advanced means of data theft being rampant in the IT world, the line differentiating the risk and protection is quite thin. With proper information security audit and its correctional measures, it can be a boon for any company depending on computer networks.
Torrid Networks is a global leader in end-to-end information security management services. Company is a CERT-IN (Computer Emergency Response Team - India) empaneled security auditor under the Ministry of Information Technology of India. To get a free Quote on penetration testing or information security kindly visit- Torrid Networks
Internet security and the safety of your computer along with the data stored on your hard disk are the important concerns that trouble most of the people today. Almost every business in today's fast internet world makes its transactions online. They buy and sell their products and services in the online environment to get the best deals.
Working and conducting business in an online environment saves a lot of time and money for the people. The internet also provides an opportunity for people to remain in touch through various social networking sites. Even the children today maintain their own accounts on these social networking sites to interact with the friends and relatives. Some business transactions are also initiated from these social networking sites. As a consequence, it becomes imperative for parents to educate their children about the threats of identity thefts, installation of spyware that gets installed automatically on your computer without your knowing it, and the virus that may attack your computers to ruin them permanently.
To protect your computer against any such problems, you must download antivirus software that is available online. Various kinds of antivirus software protect your computer against virus attacks that may harm the computer and lead of loss of important data. Therefore, it becomes very important for all parents to be aware of the pros and cons of the social networking sites and also educate their children about the same. To be able to do so, the parents themselves must know about the various aspects of these sites. To ensure safety of their data and other confidential information, they must download some internet security software and options for spyware remove. These measures will ensure the protection of your computer and confidential information.
If you are not fully aware about the various aspects related to internet security, visit Internet Safety Center. The website tells you about the important aspects of internet security ranging from how to protect your computer and safeguard your data. It gives you tips and rules to install various antivirus or spyware packages.
The site has well defined segments to cater to the needs of various groups. It makes an effective attempt to educate people about various aspects of internet security. Not only this, the site also provides important information about the antivirus and spyware software that are important for the security of your data.
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.
To make it simple, firewall security acts as a barrier between the threats and the personal computer. It keeps away data from the hands of thieves and hackers who are responsible for many cyber crimes.
Firewall protection is a dual approach of software regulating and monitoring hardware and communication protocols. It is tasked to inspect network traffic and all "packets" of information within the computer, in its CPU and hard drives. With firewall protection, the possibility of threat is completely ruled out or minimized. This is done by the alarming and isolating the potential threats, depending on whether you it will deny or permit access your computer based on the rules you set.
The main task of the firewall security is to monitor the flow of traffic between varieties of computer networks with varying trust levels. Virtual world has infinite overlapping zones; some are safe while other is dead. On the contrary, internal networks are more likely to integrate a zone offering more trust.
It is highly essential that firewall should be properly configured; otherwise it would be worthless. Standard security practices demand for "default-deny" firewall rule signifying that only network connections are permitted after they are thoroughly monitored. A deep understanding of network applications along with efforts and time of an administrator are required for effective internet security.
Firewall protection blocks unauthorized access and security threats, as well as prevents and decrypts random information traveling through different domain line. A vital part of the firewall internet security is the fabrication of network address translation, helping to save the identity behind private addresses. It is also used by proxies helping the flawed information from spreading. It also efficiently monitors the traffic.
Users running the default on their security are not utilizing full potential of their firewall protection. You can deal with the common problems happening frequently associated with the computer by introducing some modification or making use of advanced firewall security tools. Hence it would be truly beneficial if the computer has dynamic firewall protection system.
A firewall intrusion detection system has several roles to play. It lowers down the action of threats on the system. A properly set up firewall is capable of reporting back to the creator.
To avail of this protection, you need to choose the best firewall security for your system. You can safeguard the system by installing and configuring a detection system before signing in online.
Get 100% guaranteed firewall security with Intrusion detection system, Next Gen firewall and intrusion prevention software.
How can social networking sites improve the communication in an organization? Just as these sites help friends and family members connect and reconnect, they can also make sharing information among members of an organization much easier.
What kind of information can be exchanged through social networking sites? Businesses will find that they can improve communication between employees by allowing data to be posted where everyone can access it. The types of things that can be shared include photos, videos, spreadsheets, charts and other documents.
How can this type of information be shared on social networking sites without compromising sensitive information? The best way to improve communication with a social networking site is to have a custom site designed especially for use by your company's employees. As with other data exchanged between company computers, security measures will need to be put in place to ensure that only employees will have access to the data.
How do internal social networking sites improve communication if the company already has an intranet? Most companies do not have features built into their intranets that allow employees to communicate with one another easily. By setting up a social networking site for employees, you encourage employees to share information and ideas. In addition to making it easier to share data that is essential for performing their jobs, employees will find it easier to build friendships with one another, which will lead to a more pleasant and productive workplace. By allowing your employees to interact with each other easily, you can improve their level of job satisfaction and reduce turnover rates in the company.
James Dempsey is a top internet marketer who works with industry leaders from around the world. He has a passion for helping others achieve their goals, dreams and aspirations. To learn more about James Dempsey and his team of Marketing Mentors meet him at: [http://www.work-from-homebusiness.biz/]
We have all heard the story of the hacker "taking down" a corporate network, maybe stealing corporate data or even someone's personal information. The millions of dollars lost, the credit card numbers now publicly available, or even private photos stolen and now not so private.
What we don't often hear is of hackers targeting small to medium-sized businesses. The sector, in fact, is under serious threat. Verizon's 2011 Data Breach Investigations Report indicates that the small to medium businesses have become the main target for hackers. This is clearly linked to the lack of security investment made by smaller companies that has created an environment where there is relatively low risk for hackers compared to targeting major corporations.
What does it cost?
According to Symantec's SMB Information Protection Survey, the average cost of cyber attacks for a small to medium business is $188,242. This number is especially daunting since smaller companies are typically not insured against cyber theft or hacking (usually covered by a cyber insurance endorsement). Clearly, most small businesses simply cannot afford to take the risk of a hacking incident.
Why does this happen?
Small businesses maintain valuable employee, customer, and industry data just like large businesses. Because small businesses often fail to adequately protect their networks, hackers can automate the hacking process and steal valuable data easily. Additionally, small businesses often don't notice hacking activity until it is too late - which allows for hackers to breach networks and steal data without detection.
Advice:
1. Implement a firewall appliance in business office and home offices. Also, install a software firewall on all machines used on public networks (coffee shops for example). Simply put, a good firewall is a barrier that keeps hackers out.
2. Develop a corporate security policy. This policy should include password protections including creating complex passwords and changing passwords at least every 90 days. Additionally, the policy should direct employees to safely use the internet and network resources provided them by the company. Consequences for violating this policy should be also included.
3. Install and maintain anti-virus software that automatically updates, scans and protects all computers. Employees should be educated about viruses and discouraged from opening emails with suspicious attachments or from unknown senders.
4. Keep operating systems up to date each month. Microsoft releases patches and updates on the second Tuesday of each month and updates should be installed shortly after on each computer. Additionally, ask your IT Service Provider to check updates on your server(s), network equipment and PCs regularly.
5. Implement email security. Outsourcing email security to a known email security provider will allow emails to be cleaned prior to ever reaching business networks. This will cut down on maintenance costs and threats. Additionally, ensure that the company antivirus product chosen integrates with your email application.
6. Update your insurance policy. Small businesses should ask their insurance agent to add a cyber insurance endorsement to their business insurance policy. This will alleviate the cost of breach notices, damages and possible litigation.
Joe Mikitish
SEN Technologies
http://www.sentechnologies.com
Social networking disadvantages are mostly related to safety issues. Online social interaction has become a very popular activity online. Like most popular activities there is always a certain amount of danger involved. Social networking disadvantages will be minimized if you are cautious when you use it. Internet networking is the act of interacting and sharing information with others online. If you share the wrong information to the wrong person it can end in some dangerous results. If you are careful when giving out information and networking on social sites than you will most likely be safe and have a great time connecting with others.
Many social sites have upgraded their security to make it much safer for users. When social interaction sites first appeared on the market they were completely untested. Because of this there were many ways for predators and criminals to do harm to users. Hackers are always a concern with the majority of online sites. This is especially true for certain networking sites which promote tons of personal information about individuals. The social meeting sites have taken a lot of hits in the lack of security they provide. Young teens have been killed, forced to commit suicide, and abducted by child predators while using their social networking site. Although these incidents are horrible acts, they do not happen on a regular basis. Many such sites have raised their age limits and security to ensure better safety for networking users. Social networking disadvantages can be safely dodged if the sites are used properly.
Social networking disadvantages are lessened if you follow some common networking safety tips. The first tip to underrate social networking disadvantages is to utilize the privacy settings on your profile. One of the biggest dangers during socializing is having too much personal information available. You can use the privacy settings to screen incoming individuals and what they see of your profile. The second tip to reduce social networking disadvantages is to maintain your computer defenses. Always have virus protection and anti-virus on your computer. Networking sites can have a host of ads that contain virus code which can infect your computer.
The third tip to decrease social networking disadvantages is to review the network website's safety notifications, standards, policies, and learn how to report violating content. It can usually be found during the registration process. Make a copy so you have it handy if there is ever a security problem that you need to deal with. Another tip for curtailing social networking disadvantages is to remember to be cautious. Don't post it on your profile unless you want everyone in the world to see it.
Bad people are always lurking online waiting for someone innocent to prey on. People are not who they claim to be the majority of the time. Do not meet anyone from a social site unless you are sure that you know them or who they are. Even if you are comfortable with meeting that person still bring a friend and tell people about the meeting in case anything goes wrong. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to social networking disadvantages.
If you want to know more about someone you've interacted with there are free ways to check some basic info. You can use the link below if you have any doubts. Search Shady Character Now Here [http://free-find-people.com/]
[http://www.products-reviewer.com]
We all know about computer viruses, ad aware and malware, Trojan horses and worms, but isn't it the job of your router and on board software and applications to take care of this for you? Yes and no. Most, every day computer users seem to think that a good anti virus product like AVG or Avast, Norton and the likes are all you need in the home to keep you safe from perpetrators, but is this all you really need? Speaking as an IT specialist, I can put my hand on my heart and say NO, this is not all you need to protect yourself from all those nasty people out on the information super highway, internet scammers are where you really need to be careful too! I am sure you have all seen the newish TV adverts for Microsoft and Windows 7, where the girl gets the red error page and gets redirected back from a risky web site, and I bet you all thought "what the hell has she been looking at to get that warning message to flash up?" The simple answer is fairly straight forward. The warning screen is not just to tell you are about to enter a dodgy website, Windows 7 can do so much more than just redirect you away from a shifty site.
Check in your spam or junk mail box, or, sometimes, if your firewall is not set up correctly, you're in box. I get loads of junk emails, advertising fake designer watches, buy pharmaceuticals cheap online, and all the usual rubbish, but am very wary of anything you do not recognise. I, on a daily basis get loads of junk mail from banks and building societies, all of which I never have had an account with, all of which wanting me to confirm my internet banking details, and take a minute out of my busy schedule to confirm my passwords and details for them to rectify this shocking problem. Wrong! Think again!
The most shocking one of all came through yesterday. I have mentioned I don't trust online banking earlier (I also worked in customer services for several large mail order companies and insurance brokers when I was younger; I know how everyone wants your details!) I received an email from PayPal, telling me someone had just changed my details for my account. This was shocking, and amusing at the same time. The reason behind my amusement? I have never had a PayPal account; this was just too obviously a scam, so I decided to track this email down, using Windows 7. A simple right click on the message, and you can find out the original senders details, this company originated in Japan, most strange considering PayPal are located in California. I clicked on the details, and got directed to this Japanese company's site, a very degrading porno site. Now, this encroaches on two points of home security. 1. The very serious issue of someone pretending to be a legitimate, massive company like PayPal to get your credit details, illegally. 2. Say if an elderly, easily offended member of your family followed this link, or, worse still, your young children. Any teenage boy sees a site like that and they could well be using your details for themselves to get access to this filth, a double no. This company ripping off your details, then charging a teenage boy to your very fast disappearing funds, could be the cause of big family fallout. You could simply avoid this by coming to MR PC Fix IT, getting an OS upgrade to Windows 7, and I can even teach you how to remain safe while using the internet as well!
[http://worcestersmrpcfixit.com/]
Whether you are looking to protect a small network in your home or one that is the foundation of your business, you will find that it is first important to understand what kind of threats you might be facing. As soon as you have a computer hooked up in order to connect to the network, you will find that there is a chance that it can be exposed to a number of different risks. When you are thinking about what you can do to make a system a great deal more secure, you will find that an understanding of the risks that you are vulnerable to is something that can help a great deal.
First and perhaps most obviously, is the threat of a virus. While the majority of viruses are simply annoying, there are definitely viruses that can damage your network's hardware, software, or both. For the most part, a virus is an executable file that will be spread by human means and will require someone to open it before it can do its work on the network. When looking at virus threats, it is worth understanding worms as well, which are considered a subset of viruses. Worms do not need human help to propagate themselves, and in fact one example of the way that they work is to turn your computer into an email server that will distribute copies of themselves.
When looking into network security threats, though, it is very important to consider what risks may be present from inside the system. First and foremost, the idea of bad architecture must be considered. If a network is mis-configured in the first place, it can be a very tempting target for people who are looking to get on it. One obvious example of this would be leaving a wireless network unsecured so that anyone with a network card could get onto it. This can certainly happen in a broader and more disastrous scope.
Interestingly enough, one of the most common measures taken to save time is also one that leaves network systems shockingly vulnerable. Consolidating a lot of services to one machine is a common measure for saving time and resources. It is easy to manage and simple to maintain, but if this single machine is compromised, there is a great deal of harm that can happen. While accidental failure is one thing, there is also the concern regarding the ease with which a single machine could be manipulated. In this case, the answer is frequently redundancy.
Computer network security is something that is very important, and if the information that you are safeguarding has anything to do with money or with personal information, it will achieve even a higher priority. Take some time and think about your system and think about whether it is vulnerable to any of the threats above. The more security that you can provide, the better off you will be. The protection of both your company and your customer depend on this aspect of your company's working, so always consider what network security means to you.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Network Training, he recommends Network 24, a leading provider of network security solutions.
By now most of you have heard of corporate networks being attacked. These attacks typically originate from malicious individuals who are connected to thea Internet that we like to call hackers. Hacking in and of itself is not a bad thing. The true meaning of hacking in the modern sense of the word is: "one who is proficient at using or programming a computer; a computer buff."
Individuals who use their computer skills for illegal purposes have given the term hacker a bad reputation. This article focuses on the frequency and some methods of illegal activity on a corporate computer system from individuals with malicious intent.
Denial of Service
In February 2000 the most significant attack on corporate networks occurred - and you may recall this event: Yahoo!, eBay, Amazon and CNN were among the 4 largest victims of a denial of service attack that caused the websites to be unavailable for roughly 3 hours. A denial of service attack is caused by multiple machines sending network traffic to one particular website. The overwhelming amount of network traffic causes the website to become unavailable and thus incurring millions of dollars of losses as in the February 2000 incident. In that incident, the sites were down for only a few hours. Had they been unavailable for days or weeks, the financial losses could have bankrupt the organizations. There are roughly 4,000 denial of service attacks worldwide every 7 days. These attacks are against small countries, public organizations and home users; basically anyone connected to the Internet is a potential target.
Weak Security
Another method of network breaching is by gaining unauthorized access to a corporation through system vulnerabilities and bypassing weak security controls. The Computer Security Institute generates the Computer Crime and Security Survey every twelve months that summarizes responses from participating organizations across the United States. This year 503 organizations participated in the survey and approximately 125 of those participants stated that their organizations' website suffered unauthorized access and misuse in the past 12 months. Of those, 53% stated the attacks came from outside sources such as the Internet, 5% came from inside sources, 18% came from both inside and outside sources and an alarming 24% did not know where the source of the attack originated.
Many times each security breach costs an organization financially. It may be a soft-cost of having to reassign responsibilities to already overburden IT staff to fix the problem, or worse, it could publicly embarrass the organization resulting in the loss of customers and vendors. Another relevant statistic that the survey uncovered was the percentage of the participating organizations that experienced unauthorized use of computer systems. Out of the 503 respondents, 56% stated they experienced unauthorized access to their computer systems, 29% percent stated they had not and 15% stated they did not know. It should be known that many organizations do not report security breaches to law enforcement or any public reporting agency due to the possibility of corrupting their image. The statistics are only meant as a guideline, you can find more information at http://www.securedigitalsolutions.com
Attack Prevention There are just two simple methods to prevent external attacks on a corporate network: Prevention and Awareness. Both are key to promoting the healthy networks that our business depends on for day-to-day activities. Most corporations employ security professionals who are adept at following both legal and industry standards in developing network security programs.
Chad Boeckmann
CISSP, GSEC
http://www.securedigitalsolutions.com
