Computer Network Security Threats That You Should Know

Computer Network Security Threats That You Should Know

Aside from hacking, there are still other computer network security threats that you should be aware of and one of which is the denial of service attack or commonly known as DoS attack.

In today's world, a lot of us rely on automation and with the technology it is not impossible for us to do certain things with the help of computers. But then again, there are threats – threats that are also "automated".

Denial of service attack is a type of attack to the service which can down the system for a specific duration of time. The perpetrator is sending multiple requests to the server until such time that the server can no longer cater the requests of the perpetrator causing the system to shut itself down. The result, server down and no one else can access the service.

One example of this is a website wherein the perpetrator sends page request to the server in such an overwhelming manner causing the server to close.

In order to successfully down a server, the perpetrator still needs a certain number of computers to send requests to server. This is where Distributed Denial of Service attack comes in wherein the perpetrator infects multiple computers so that they may be able to send requests to the server without the consent of the owner of the infected computer. These computers are then called zombies since they are being controlled by the perpetrator to send requests to a particular server.

Now that you know about some of the common network security threats, it is important that you keep your computer free from the viruses which make your computer a "zombie" and prevent the perpetrators on gaining control of your computer without you knowing it.

You can install a reliable antivirus software to help you have protection against such.

 

How To Secure Your Wireless Home Network

How To Secure Your Wireless Home Network
People have more flexible time due to wireless network. Thanks to the invention of wireless. People can now work from home while taking care of their kids or doing house works. No more stress from traffic jam anymore.

Well, there is something you should realize. Working from home while using a wireless local area network (WLAN) may lead to theft of sensitive information and hacker or virus infiltration unless proper measures are taken. As WLANs send information over radio waves, someone with a receiver in your area could be picking up the transmission, thus gaining access to your computer. They could load viruses on to your laptop which could be transferred to the company's network when you go back to work.

Believe it or not! Up to 75 per cent of WLAN users do not have standard security features installed, while 20 per cent are left completely open as default configurations are not secured, but made for the users to have their network up and running ASAP. It is recommended that wireless router/access point setup be always done though a wired client.

You can setup your security by follow these steps:

1. Change default administrative password on wireless router/access point to a secured password.

2. Enable at least 128-bit WEP encryption on both card and access point. Change your WEP keys periodically. If equipment does not support at least 128-bit WEP encryption, consider replacing it. Although there are security issues with WEP, it represents minimum level of security, and it should be enabled.

3. Change the default SSID on your router/access point to a hard to guess name. Setup your computer device to connect to this SSID by default.

4. Setup router/access point not to broadcast the SSID. The same SSID needs to be setup on the client side manually. This feature may not be available on all equipment.

5. Block anonymous Internet requests or pings. On each computer having wireless network card, network connection properties should be configured to allow connection to Access Point Networks Only. Computer to Computer (peer to peer) Connection should not be allowed.

Enable MAC filtering. Deny association to wireless network for unspecified MAC addresses. Mac or Physical addresses are available through your computer device network connection setup and they are physically written on network cards. When adding new wireless cards / computer to the network, their MAC addresses should be registered with the router's access point. Network router should have firewall features enabled and demilitarized zone (DMZ) feature disabled.

All computers should have a properly configured personal firewall in addition to a hardware firewall. You should also update router/access point firmware when new versions become available. Locating router's access point away from strangers is also helpful so they cannot reset the router/access point to default settings. You can even try to locate routers access point in the middle of the building rather than near windows to limit signal coverage outside the building.

There is no guarantee of a full protection of your wireless network, but following these suggested tips can definitely lessen your risk of exposing to attackers aiming at insecure networks.

Are There Any Concerns With Wireless Network Security

Are There Any Concerns With Wireless Network Security

If you are new to wireless networks there are a couple of things you need to be aware of an order to make sure that you have a secure access point. Nowadays most WiFi routers that come out of the box are set up with security already. However, this is not always the case so you may need to configure your router so that it has encryption enabled which was then prevent unauthorized people connecting to your network and possibly using your Internet connection.

There are a number of different types of security measures that you can put in place to ensure that you have encryption enabled, have a secure connection and prevent others from accessing it. There are a couple of standards that you can implement quite easily on your router and they are.

1. SSID
2. WEP
3. Media Access Control (MAC)

We can get caught up in all sorts of acronyms with networks is basically SSID means Service Set Identifier, which is basically just a name used to identify a particular wireless network.

This name can be 32 characters long combining letters or numbers and is basically just an identifier which you can set which in torn allows you to identify your WiFi network when you go to locate. Your access points will transmit this SSID every couple of seconds.

WEP is basically an encryption key that can help encrypt the data between the wireless client and the network access point. It basically creates a shared password (which you can set on your router) . The router transmits a request which is then answered by the wireless client with the password that you create. It may sound complicated but realistically is a very simple process. This is the first level security that you can settle on any WiFi router and it's basically what most people use present.

MAC is another level of security that you can add to your router basically the router can store a table of MAC addresses that are only allowed access in that particular access point.

The MAC address is specific to your WiFi network card in your computer and this can be found in a Microsoft Windows computer in the control phone and networks, and there you can locate the MAC address of the network card. Once you have this you can then enter this in the MAC address security area on your WiFi router. This is the next level of security and show to help to prevent anybody gaining unauthorized access to your network.

How To Pass Comptia A+, Network+, Security+ And Server+

How To Pass Comptia A+, Network+, Security+ And Server+


CompTIA, a provider of many IT (Information Technology) certifications, offers an A+ certification for computer support technicians who want to show their expertise in computer installation, maintenance, security, networking and troubleshooting, in addition to strong communication and customer service skills. The CompTIA A+ certification is included in the certification tracks of IT companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Novell and Hewlett-Packard. Additionally, many support companies such as CompuCom require the A+ certification for their service technicians. If you wish to earn a credential to highlight your skills and knowledge as a computer support technician, this credential may be for you.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Step 1
Download the exam objectives for the two required examinations. The first required exam, CompTIA A+ Essentials (Exam Number 220-701) covers hardware (27 percent); troubleshooting, repair and maintenance (20 percent); operating systems and software (20 percent); networking (15 percent), security (8 percent); and operational procedure (10 percent). The second exam, CompTIA A+ Practical Application (Exam Number 220-702) covers hardware (38 percent), operating systems (34 percent), networking (15 percent) and security (14 percent). The detailed objectives for each examination are available from the CompTIA website and should be used to guide your exam preparations.
Step 2
Review practice questions for each examination. The sample test questions are available at the CompTIA website and will provide an idea of what to expect on the examinations.
Step 3
Select your training materials or classes from CompTIA's recommended listings. CompTIA has a listing of recommended A+ certification study materials available on its website. The listing includes books for self-study or instructor-led training, computer-based training, assessment software and multimedia options. If you are interested in instructor-led classes, CompTIA also has a search option for classes available in your area.
Step 4
Purchase your exam vouchers, and take your exams. Exams are offered at Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. Once you find the location that is the most convenient for you, purchase a voucher for that location from the CompTIA website. Each exam will contain 100 questions, and you will be allowed 90 minutes per exam.
Step 5
Request your CompTIA A+ Certification. After you have passed both required examinations, you will need to wait 5 business days before you can request your certificate. Log in to the CompTIA website to access your certification record, ensure that the information is correct, and request your certificate. You can expect to receive your certificate by mail in about four to six weeks.

If you are too busy to study, you can also pass the exams easily, please visit the site below for the shortcut to pass CompTia A+: www.passmcitpmcse.com

Avoid Cheap Air Ticket Scams

Flying and travel expenses can add up quickly. People are always searching for cheap air tickets or vacation packages. Scammers know this, and will try anything to trick you into buying their "cheap air tickets." It is possible to safely purchase cheap air tickets as long as you know what to look out for and avoid.

1. Do not respond to unsolicited emails, flyers, or faxes. Typically, these deals are very enticing. However, they may not exist at all, or may have expensive hidden fees that won't be revealed until after you've already given out your personal information.


2. Avoid any clubs or memberships that ask for money before you are allowed to see the cheap air ticket deals. This scam involves you giving up money without knowing what you're paying for. Once you have access to the "cheap air tickets" you will often find that they are the same as other deals you have seen online.


3. Scam artists like to pressure people into making a decision quickly. If you are faced with a cheap air ticket that requires you to make a payment at that very moment run away. This high-pressure tactic usually leads to you regretting your decision and being caught in a scam.


4. Another pressure tactic is claiming that a cheap air ticket has a "limited availability." This pressures you into buying quickly, and is again often used by scammers.


5. Always guard your credit card information and do not give it out to unknown sources. Many times a scam artist will sell your credit card information to identity thieves.


6. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, or have stumbled upon one, contact your Attorney General's office. They may help you recover any money you lost and potentially put a stop to other people becoming victimized by the same scammers.


7. Check consumer reports, the Better Business Bureau, and online reviews for the company you are considering. If you see anything suspicious or something that makes you uncomfortable, move on to a different company.

There are many reputable companies out there that offer cheap air tickets. If you follow our advice and keep your eyes out for suspicious activity, you should be able to travel at reasonable prices to anywhere in the world. Scammers may be prevalent in the cheap air ticket world, but they don't have to win!