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Securing your network, from home users to small business up to enterprise. What you can do.

By Paul Fleming

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 22May2007
Word count: 417
Viewed: 214 time(s)

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With computers being a critical component in running a business, it is more valuable than ever to ensure the security of your networks particularly where there is sensitive data. News headlines announcing that networks have experienced security breaches are all too prevalent. This is where you need a service that checks for those vulnerabilities and prevents from future attacks. Better yet, you need a service that prevents it before it ever happens to your company. Imagine the embarrassment at having to explain to your customers that someone has stolen their credit card information.

We continue to read headline after headline with news stories that credit card information or social security numbers were exploited. Some companies perform security audits on a regular basis. Certainly institutions like hospitals are required to perform these. But it's mostly small to mid-sized companies that are the most vulnerable.

Hackers employ various methods for gaining access to systems. An audit often looks at replicating those methods, looking for vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the infrastructure. Affectionately known as Penetration Testing, it involves honing in on those elements that are seen as problems. Penetration testing is a form of risk assessment for your IT infrastructure. It offers a way for companies, institutions and organizations to ensure that their data is as protected as possible. It is becoming more and more essential as part of operations. We never enjoy hearing that credit card details have been exposed or that social security numbers are in the hands of someone who will use it for identity theft. This small preventative measure can prevent Public Relations nightmares.

For the average home user, there are some basic things, especially when setting up a wireless network at home that you can easily do to prevent users piggybacking on your network or even hacking in to it.

Add a little security

Change the SSID (name) of your network and disable the SSID broadcast. Disable DHCP Control MAC Address Filtering

Add more security

WEP Encrypt - adds an extra blocking mechanism for hackers

Even more Security

WPA - setting up a random pre-shared key of 10 characters ensures your network is practically rock-solid. This is a random string of numbers and letters, just make sure you can remember it yourself.

These are some very basic steps to securing your data and ensuring your privacy. Keep in mind that small to medium business should do a little more to keep their information secure as there is even more valuable data ie. other people's.

215 Secure offers ‘Security Assessments’ that are a good first step for your organization. "We service users in the Delaware Valley region, this includes Philadelphia and its surrounds, Southern New Jersey, parts of Delaware. Contact us for further information or visit the website at www.215secure.com or call 215-922-1261

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