Governments, businesses, and individuals who own a computer need good network security, but they do not need to buy expensive antivirus software from Microsoft and McAfee to keep their machines safe. Good network security comes with knowledge about how the Internet works, whether antivirus software is effective, and how to change their browsing habits and their email use.
Bad Network Security
Bad security is where a service provider is collecting the information of its customers and spreading it as if it were news, and is so in breach of privacy and security policies of the government, organization, or service it serves, visit https://www.fortinet.com/solutions/industries/government/federal to get all the details. This is not just a national issue as they collect information on users of other countries. This data can be used by those who want to hurt the services of those companies.
What Causes Bad Network Security?
The problem in network security is having to constantly monitor your traffic and make adjustments to protect against malicious attacks. It’s a constant struggle to be able to know if there are any threats on your network.
The first step to addressing this is knowing what network threats are out there and how they will attack your servers, computers, and other devices. This knowledge is required to understand what threats are taking place, and how to prevent them.
Understanding Network Attacks
The main network attacks that happen today are phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and malware. These are just three examples of common security concerns that people tend to forget when talking about network security.
All three of these security incidents require the attacker to sneak into your network. They typically work by tricking a user into clicking on a malicious link.
Before you rely on traditional antivirus products to protect your network, consider your network security needs and do some research on the details of your ISP.
Network Attacks are Not Just Phishing
Network attacks are not just phishing. The idea that only phishing targets an individual person and is a one-off attack is a misconception. It is common for hackers to target companies, and many attackers have seen their tactics copied and reused by many different groups.
Phishing is a one-time attack where you send a bait email to an individual or a group of people that appears to be a legitimate email. This bait email is usually a corporate e-mail that asks you to change your password or authorize a new password.
In the world of phishing, the hacker can then continue to infiltrate your organization and request access to your network. In addition to the use of bait e-mails, your company should also get alert when new employees are attempting to log in to your network or server. These phishing attacks are mainly targeting organizations that do not care about their data.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Man-in-the-middle attacks are where a malicious software of some sort breaks your encrypted connection between the victim’s computer and the server. The malware then intercepts data, including passwords, leaving your user vulnerable.
By simply sending and receiving data in a network, you are vulnerable to these attacks, which can be easily fixed by updating your software and securing your network. Many people are alarmed that a hacker could break into their accounts and gain access to data by intercepting your data, but we have seen this in the news countless times.
Malware is One-Time Attacks
In addition to breaking encrypted connections, malware can also steal your credentials.