Install Antivirus and Other Security Programs
However, you will want to make sure your firewall software is up to date and test it regularly to make certain it is functioning properly.įinally, make sure all wireless traffic is secured with strong encryption. Also remove any test or default pages that came with your server.Ī properly configured firewall will also help, since it allows or denies traffic into your system. While it may seem harmless to leave these applications on your computer, they may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Along those same lines, you’ll want to remove any programs or services that you don’t use. Closing them down can help block hackers from entering your system. Leaving these passwords as they are leaves your system very unsecure.Īlso look at what ports are open on your network and have your IT department decide whether those ports are necessary. The first thing to do is to change all of the default passwords on routers and any other hardware and software.
While putting password policies in place can help defend that entry point, it’s important that you know the other entry points and take steps to block them before an attack occurs. Know Avenues of Attack and Preempt ThemĬareless employees are only one avenue hackers can use to get into your system.
They also need to know when employees leave the company so they can immediately remove their access to secure files so no one can use that account later. Unless everyone understands the ways networks can be hacked and what they need to do to prevent hacking, your system is only as secure as the least-knowledgeable employee.Īlong the same lines, your IT department has to keep on top of updating software as needed, making certain all network security programs are configured correctly and installing new programs as needed to protect your system.
Additionally, if your organization supports two-factor authentication and/or other strong authentication methods, it’s important for employees to be aware of how they can use these tools to protect their accounts and sensitive company information. This document should include password policies, of course, such as creating passwords that consist of easy-to-remember sentences and having unique passwords for each account. It’s important you do more than simply tell staff to create strong passwords - create a security protocol document that outlines everything needed to protect your network, such as locking computers when not in use, limiting the number of files removed from the office on personal flash drives or computers and other guidelines relevant to your organization. That’s why it’s important to make certain that everyone who has access to your system knows the proper security protocols. One of the easiest ways for hackers to get into your system is for employees to leave the “virtual doors” wide open. Learning what kinds of cyber-attacks and hacks are taking place will help you learn what types of defense you need. You can check out various hacking forums online, including some that are ethical and more of an academic discussion than plans to take down businesses.
You can do this by following tech blogs, of course, but there’s more you can do, too. The first step is to keep informed of the latest hacking news. Here are six essential measures needed to keep your network safe. Fortunately, there are computer security companies who are constantly working to create new programs to defeat hackers and a number of other things you can do to protect your computer network from attack. This is why it’s essential for you to protect your network from hackers and the malicious programs they create. What once was a relatively unknown concept to the average person has become something that concerns everyone. In today’s technological world, hacking has become a major concern for businesses, governments and other organizations.