Network Security Frequently Asked Questions
What is network security?
Network security encompasses the many tools, software, tactics, and policies designed to prevent, monitor, and treat malicious, unauthorized access to your network. It also includes protecting your assets, data, and network traffic. It can include all types of both hardware and software to aid you in securing your network. It also includes resources such as an experienced team that analyzes security threats, hunts problems, and responds to incidents. In its simplest form, network security is your defense to keep your company safe from intruders.
What are the different types of network security?
There is a plethora of different types of network security. Due to storing different types of data in different areas, it’s important to protect your information. Here are some of the most prominent methods of security available that we can provide for your business:
- Firewall – A firewall constructs a strong barricade between the outside world and your internal network. They work by only letting in data you trust and keeping unwanted traffic out. Firewalls can be installed as software, hardware, or a combination.
- Email Security – The most popular type of attack on a business is through email. Would-be intruders use personal information within a company and clever deceit to elicit data and important information from your partners and employees. Phishing campaigns and other sophisticated attacks work due to being hard to recognize without proper training. Email security programs and applications protect your company from these attacks by blocking dangerous emails from ever reaching your users.
- Anti-Virus Software – There are all types of malware, including ransomware, spyware, viruses, Trojans, worms, and more. These infections attack your network secretly, slowing your production, collecting data, and harming your operations. Our anti-virus software scans for potential attacks, protects you from all types of malware, and routinely tracks information and data to remove all types of threats.
- Access Control – One of the simplest forms of network security, access control limits who can be on your network. You can limit users and resources to only certain parts you would like, helping to lock away important information.
- Data Loss Prevention – Frequently abbreviated to DLP, this helps protect your users from accidentally deleting or compromising sensitive data. One of the biggest threats to network security is human error. DLP allows you to not worry about losing information on accident.
What are the benefits of network security?
Installing strong network security helps protect your organization, your people, and your sensitive information. You’re also ensuring your operation’s performance and reputation, which is vital to staying in business. You want potential partners and clients alike to be able to trust you with their information. Not having network security allows you to fall victim to all types of cyberattacks, stealing your information and rendering you unable to provide your services. Damaging your reputation due to negligence is a catastrophic loss to your business. Once you’ve shown that your company isn’t trustworthy due to malicious attacks, it’s hard to gain that trust back.
What is malware?
Malware is malicious software designed to infiltrate your network and computer and cause damage, steal data and information, or cause other harm. It’s unfortunately all too common in the modern age. They can pilfer your personal information, company data, customer records, and more. This can end up costing you millions in reprehensions, control, and worse – cost you your reputation as a savvy business. Malware can find your business through normal internet activities, such as visiting media-supported websites, download files from others, or install software without reading the fine print or fully researching it.
How can I prevent and remove malware?
Just as there are many types of malware, there are countless ways to prevent and remove it. Some of the best ways to avoid malware include:
- Avoiding free software
- Updating security patches
- Increasing overall security settings
- Staying suspicious of questionable emails and websites
- Avoiding using public or multiple-user computers
- Not handling sensitive data on an unknown network
- Using a firewall, anti-virus software, and malware protection
You can remove malware from your computer and network by using scan programs designed for detection. Removing malware manually is difficult and time-consuming, as malware doesn’t tend to want to be deleted, and finding it is a task in itself. Without a top-notch malware removal program, it can be difficult even for computer experts to delete. The best way to not deal with malware is to stop it at the source with a sophisticated protection program.
How do hackers find my company?
No matter what, if your company is online, you’re susceptible to hackers and online predators. They use phishing schemes, email campaigns, instant messages, and fake websites to lure you in, deliver malware to your computer, and infiltrate your network. They can then monitor your email and chat conversations to gather more information. You may not know you’re revealing sensitive information to a predator until it’s too late.
What is phishing, and how can I prevent it in my company?
Phishing is a con to use spam, email, malicious websites, and other methods to trick you into giving up important and sensitive information, such as logins, credit card numbers, and bank accounts. You can prevent phishing in a number of ways. Here are some of the ways to prevent phishing attacks in your company:
- Do not provide vital or sensitive information to any unsolicited requests for information. Remember – no real service will ever email you asking for your username or password.
- Make sure the URL is correct and the destination you are expecting.
- Only trust websites that start with “https” instead of just “http” where you have confirmed the address.
- If you don’t trust an email, you can always contact the company by phone or your own research to learn more about them.
- Don’t click on links from emails. Instead, type in the link to a website yourself in the URL. That way, you know exactly where you’re going.
- Use complex and varied passwords for your accounts. Also, use different passwords for each account.
- Don’t open emails from unknown senders, especially outside your network.
- If you suspect an email is spam, delete it.
- Install anti-virus and firewall software throughout your company.
How can I tell I have malware on my computer?
There are many symptoms of malware infections on your devices. Pay attention to the following symptoms. If you have any or multiple of these problems, you should contact us for malware removal and protection.
- Sluggish or slowing down PC performance
- Additional pop-up ads
- New toolbars in your web browser
- Strange changes to your homepage
- Unidentified charges on your bills
- Frequent crashes
- Programs not responding properly or closing
How can I encourage safe browsing to my company?
The biggest entry point to your network is through an unsuspecting user, also known as your employees. Make sure to give proper training to anyone that has access to the internet and email. Keep these tips in mind and send them to your team:
- Avoid questionable sites, such as adult sites, file sharing, and community sites
- Avoid downloading and installing free software
- Never download or install a .exe file without proper consultation with your IT department
- Update your operating system and programs regularly
- Use anti-malware and anti-virus software
- Increase your overall browser security steps
- Never click on suspicious links in emails, especially from unknown senders