By BILL ABRAM Hackers, phishers, worms, adware, spyware, and spammers are popping up at high-speed and wreak havoc on computer systems worldwide.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that nine million Americans have their identity stolen each year.
Increased security Internet scams and malicious hackers are more prevalent and virulent than ever, which has prompted security to become one of the largest growth areas in technology.
Businesses are constantly under attack. Security breaches are both detrimental to customer relations and can be extremely damaging to a company’s finances.
Regardless of a network’s size, security is of paramount importance. New viruses are introduced every day, and spammers use worms to create “Spam Zombies,” which clog in-boxes, steal passwords and introduce Trojan Horses that enable unauthorized remote access to a computer.
Networks should be protected from both external and internal threats. Whether maliciously or unintentionally, employees could compromise system security by loading a program that opens back doors into administrative computers or turns an entire computer system into a spammer’s paradise.
Preventing and minimizing risks There are a variety of ways businesses can protect their networks. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), firewalls, and anti-virus and spam-filtering tools are all effective ways to prevent and detect intrusion.
Daily system backups and 24/7 monitoring enable network administrators to detect and fix problems before they cause additional damage. Security updates also hinder new viruses that circulate around the globe with the click of a mouse.
Intrusion detection and prevention can also isolate a sub-network - or even a single machine - if security levels have been compromised or if they have yet to be updated from a central server.
No organization should risk an unsecured network. Without properly-used firewalls and other protective measures, all systems are vulnerable to network security breaches or potential lawsuits.
In order to diminish potential danger, security experts can provide network assessment and maintenance. They can evaluate security and make recommendations for continuous monitoring and management. In many cases, however, risks can be greatly reduced with small—and relatively inexpensive—steps:
1. Guard the gates. Ensure properly configured and installed firewalls. Sometimes even authorized technicians leave “back doors” open to enable easier provision of support. These must be closed. If modems are in use, they should be secured by passwords. Even better: turn them off when they are not in use.
2. Secure the servers. Server software should be kept up-to-date, and the latest security patches should be regularly and promptly installed.
3. Defend the desktops. Desktop software updates should also be regularly installed.
4. Apply anti-spam and anti-virus measures. Many low-cost software packages and service plans are available from reputable providers that are easy to put into place. (Note: these also must be regularly updated.)
5. Protect the passwords. Do not share passwords. Each employee should have-- and use—his/her own password/s at all times. Enforce a policy that requires changing passwords every 90 days or fewer. Former employee or contractor accounts should also be quickly disabled.
6. Keep quiet. Many hackers obtain information that provides them unauthorized access simply by asking for it. In these scams, a hacker might pose as a potential job applicant, a phone company technician, or an internet-provider support representative. Too often, despite trying to be polite or helpful, employees unwittingly reveal crucial information that helps the hacker gain access.
A computer crisis can strike at any time. Businesses that fail to address their security precautions are flirting with disaster. It is always prudent to prepare for potential problems, because when it comes to computer breaches, no news is good news.
Bill Abram is President and founder of Pragmatix, Inc., Elmsford, NY, a leading information technology company founded in 1992. Pragmatix delivers a broad portfolio of business and technology solutions including secure managed hosting, remote managed services and support, custom applications and software development. Abram can be reached at 914-345-9444 or via e-mail billa@pragmatix.com.
To learn more about this author, visit Bill Abram's Website.
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