Networking is used in most businesses today, as a means of connecting employees to one another so that they can collaborate in their work efforts. However, in their narrowmindedness to get their network working to specifications, some businesses forget to adhere to the appropriate security measures. Below are 7 common network security mistakes that you do not want to fall victim to.
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Weak Passwords
When it comes to security, passwords are like, entry level. However, by adopting simple passwords, you pave the way for unauthorised users to gain access to your sensitive information. A password is only doing its job when it’s next to impossible to guess. To put yourself in that position, you’ll want to adopt a password with both upper and lower case characters, combined with numbers and special characters, if permitted.
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Not Investing In the Best Hardware
The highest grade of equipment, is naturally the most expensive, but in a business environment, it’s worth the cost.
Why? Because the professional-grade gear will provide you with the reliability and performance that you require for optimal productivity.
When you invest in a professional server machine, it comes with redundancies, this means, duplicate network interfaces, duplicate power supply units, multiple disk controllers, and often times, multiple CPUs and motherboards. That way, if one fails, the other will move in, and take its place. This ensures operation never ceases.
When you buy a professional switch, it usually comes with management capabilities that allow you to identify problems on a network, compartmentalise your network for enhanced performance, and monitor employee activity on the network.
In the short term, cheaper equipment may seem like the best option, but in the long run, you may end up spending more money than you bargained for. This is because professionally laid cable is likely to last longer, provide a better service, and will be much more reliable.
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Not Installing Security Patches
No software is without its flaws, which is why it’s common for your operating system to have new found security holes. Once one of these holes has been identified, it’s not long before hackers will start to take advantage of it. It’s for this reason why it’s so important you install the latest security patches, as and when they are made available.
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Terribly Enforced Security Policies
No matter how good your security measures are, it’s all pretty much pointless, if as much effort does not go into enforcing it. A policy that is not enforced, is pretty much useless. It’s for this reason you want to consider implementation when adopting or creating a policy.
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Not Adopting Encryption
Encryption is an important piece of technology to adopt, especially when working in banking. When data is stored and transferred unencrypted, it’s essentially left out there, for anyone to steal and read. If you lack the expertise to <a href=”https://www.compuchenna.co.uk/how-to-protect-files/”>implement encryption</a> yourself, then you should seek a professional to do it for you.
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Using Public Wi-Fi
One thing you never want to do, is access your own personal data while on a public network. This is because these networks often lack security, and in many instances have viruses and other things set up in them, by malicious individuals. These hackers know that people expect to be able to patch into a network, while at a public venue, whether it be a restaurant or coffee shop, and they take that knowledge and use it to setup malware-laden access points, which an unsuspecting user can log into. However, when you join the network, you’re essentially giving full access of your system, whether it be passwords, programs or files, to a hacker. It’s always best practice to do the more important things, like pay a bill or do your taxes, while at home.
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Using Random Flash Drives
It’s very important that you have a backup regiment in place for your system, however, it’s also important that you are careful when it comes to using third-party devices to do it. You don’t want to insert someone else’s flash drive into your system. This is because these small devices can have malware in them, which is ready to jump into your system, and your network, the moment you connect it to your computer. To be safe, it’s best not to use any device that isn’t yours. You should also be regularly scanning your hard drive, for all the various malicious files, as this is your best line of protection against them.
–AUTHOR INFO—
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk.
