Security Mechanisms

Protecting the network does not necessarily mean that the protection will come from an outside source, but also from the local administrator. They basically hold the foundation in maintaining a safe and secure network. There are some steps to take in providing utmost security to the network. Some of these steps are:

Check the latest security services available

Purchased and install software or programs that could help prevent security attacks. Certain tools and gadgets are also available in keeping the system safe and secured.

Assigning secured passwords

Prevention is always better than cure. Thus, avoid using default passwords or commonly used dictionary terms.

Assess theft potential

Constantly check the computers, laptops, portable hard disks, data backups on CD, anything – make sure to assess the system's safety well.

Check network bandwidth

This could prevent end users of using the bandwidth "over the hedge" just by sending "junk" emails daily.

Data Backups

Make system backups, or rather schedule system backups every so often so that in case of data loss, there would be no problem.

Data Confidentiality

Encrypt data and files in the best way possible.

Disaster Recovery Plan

Consider drafting one if one doesn't exist yet. This is the number one reason why network attacks succeed, because if one had prepared to be attacked, the attack wouldn’t have been so bad, or ‘as’ bad had one not prepared for it.

Security Services

There are services that can be undertaken to prevent network attacks. These may not guarantee full protection, but still, it could do less harm than the actual damage that might occur. Some of the most common network security services are:

Using of Firewalls

A firewall is simply a group of components that collectively form a barrier between two networks.

Secure Modems; Dial-Back Systems

If modem access is to be provided, this should be guarded carefully. The terminal server , or network device that provides dial-up access to the network needs to be actively administered, and its logs should be examined for strange behavior. Also, its passwords need to be strong -- not ones that can be easily guessed. Accounts that are inactive should be disabled. In short, it's the easiest way to get into the network remotely, so guard it carefully.

Crypto-Capable Routers

This is a feature being built into some routers with the ability to use session encryption between specified routers. Because traffic traveling across the Internet can be seen by people in the middle who have the resources and time to snoop around, these are advantageous for providing connectivity between two sites, such that there can be secure routes.

Virtual Private Networks

Virtual Private Networks provide the ability for two offices to communicate with each other in a way that it looks like they're directly connected over a private leased line. The session between them, although going over the Internet, is private (because the link is encrypted), and the link is convenient, because each can see each others' internal resources without showing them off to the entire world.

Windows Updates

Check if the system is patched up. It's important to patch up these systems frequently, the ‘security’ hot fixes come out very often and are many times so important that if not installed, will leave the system or hundreds of systems, open to the latest and greatest piece of malware out there.

Antivirus Protection

Install the "strongest" antivirus software that is available on the market and make sure that the virus database is updated and the system is scheduled to have a regular full scan.

Security Attacks

Network security these days is a fast-paced and ever-increasing demand. Various attacks emerge almost everywhere regardless of whether it would directly affect you or not. Still, more and more people spend time and money to counter serious threats to their security.

There are various network security attacks, many of which can damage and destroy the network itself along with all the valuable data stored in it. Moreover, it can breach the confidentiality of the files that the network is keeping safe and secured. Some of the most common forms of attacks are as follows:

IP Spoofing

In this kind of attack, a host claims to have the IP address of another. Since many systems (such as router access control lists) identify which packets may and may not pass based on the sender's IP address, this could be a useful technique to an attacker: he can send packets to a host, perhaps causing it to take some sort of action. Moreover, some applications allow login based on the IP address of the person making the request.

Guessing of usernames and passwords (unauthorized access)

This is especially effective when the root or administrator password is weak, or when a system is set with default passwords that people don’t even bother to change. Furthermore, there are a lot of programs that have been specifically designed to crack passwords using the ’brute force’ method. A bad password on a Microsoft Windows system can be cracked in less than a second. Worse still, some systems send passwords over the network as clear text. There are plenty of tools available to collect those too. An example would be using a key logger to record the keystrokes of an authorized user.

Email Based Network Security Attacks

The main network security attack that can be perpetrated via email is by using email as a means of sending worms which can be carried into the very heart of the network. This goes to show why email is so popular as a means for network security attacks.

Worms & Trojans

An unauthorized user more or less aims to install a malicious software or program on the system. The worm will then hide its presence from the administrator of the system for as long as possible, and will only do the tasks the attacker has "instructed" it to do. Some worms can even be connected to after installation and be given new instructions.

Wireless Specific Network Security Attacks

A wireless network is different from fixed networks in many ways. From a security perspective the biggest difference is that a fixed network has a well defined boundary while a wireless network doesn’t provide such an easily defined boundary. Thus, anyone can easily gain access to the network unless a password is given or it is hidden.

Phishing

This is a form of Internet fraud that aims to steal valuable information such as credit cards, social security numbers, user IDs and passwords through impersonation. A fake website is then created that is similar to that of a legitimate organisation, typically a financial institution such as a bank or insurance company. An email is then sent requesting that the recipient access the fake website, which will usually be a replica of a trusted site, and enter their personal details, including security access codes. The page looks genuine, because it is easy to fake a valid web site. Any HTML page on the web can be modified to suit a phishing scheme.