Internet Security Threats

Is your network secure from intruders - both internally and externally? Are your employee's Internet habits costing you money by introducing viruses and countering their productivity?

Certainly many security breaches are internal and often not intentional. But cybercrime is also on the increase and companies need to be vigilant. What can small companies do to protect themselves

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Here are some essential first steps...

Get up to speed on just where your network and internet security might be vulnerable and how to deal with it. Contact a computer expert who specializes in internet security and have them assess your networks vulnerabilities.

Be alert to the various internet security scams out there and how to deal with them. Fraud schemes include the increasingly popular 'spoofing' which involves the use of special software designed to falsify the sender's address on an email. This can be used to obtain money, trade secrets, company research, passwords and other data from businesses. Software can monitor the latest scams and offers a free email alert service. Security software such as Mimesweeper can run automatic integrity checks on emails.

Virus control software such as Norton and McAfee is a must. The biggest damage to your network can be done by staff downloading unauthorized software, email attachments or porn from the internet. Screening technology such as 3com's Firewall 25 for small businesses, help control unauthorized access to your network as well as preventing staff accessing unsuitable Web sites. These might contain viruses or even 'Trojans' - software designed to siphon the contents of your hard disk and mail it to another email address.

One simple way to protect sensitive data - such as customer details - from hackers is simply by not storing this information on your Internet server. Any Internet machine permanently linked to a network increases the risk of hacking. Hackers generally target large, high-profile corporations rather than small businesses but you could be a target of industrial espionage, particularly if you develop leading edge technology or other highly competitive products. Hackers outside the company look for loopholes in your internet security systems, typically, glitches in software.

Check with your software provider (usually via their Web site) on a regular basis for news of security loopholes and their remedies, such as downloadable 'patches'.

Review your security policy annually. The threat of serious theft or corruption, though, often comes from disgruntled employees. Do you spring-clean passwords regularly? How many ex-employees still have their passwords?

Issue written security procedures and ensure staff are properly trained. Otherwise a hacker will simply call up and ask for a password - it's that simple!

For A Free Network Analysis
Call Us: 818-501-2281