| The components and the layout of your network | | | | Things to consider about antivirus software |
| will determine what you'll need to secure | | | | |
| local computers, but some things are musts | | | | - How long is the software automatically |
| for any network that is connected to the | | | | updated to detect new viruses? |
| Internet. A few simple preemptive measures | | | | |
| can go a long way toward protecting your data | | | | - How fast does it scan for viruses? |
| and keeping your systems safe. | | | | |
| | | | - Does it scan and clean instant-messenger |
| Security measures: | | | | attachments? |
| | | | |
| 1. Basic security | | | | - Does it come with a software firewall? |
| | | | |
| 2. Antivirus software | | | | - Does virus eradication require your |
| | | | involvement? |
| 3. Software firewalls | | | | |
| | | | Software firewalls |
| 4. Hardware firewalls | | | | |
| | | | When you open an e-mail message, an e-mail |
| Basic security | | | | server somewhere on the Internet is sending |
| | | | the data to a certain port on your computer. |
| The first step to securing your network is to | | | | A Web server uses a different port on your |
| use the standard features that are built into | | | | computer to send you a Web page, and an |
| your gear. Many networking devices come with | | | | instant messenger yet another to send you a |
| security features that will protect your | | | | message. These are software ports, so you |
| network against hacker attacks. If you are | | | | can't see them, but trust us, they're there. |
| buying a broadband router, look for one with | | | | A firewall manages the data traffic coming to |
| a NAT firewall and MAC address filtering. NAT | | | | and flowing from your computer on specific |
| firewalls conceal your network behind the | | | | ports--sometimes allowing data to get |
| router, and MAC address filtering allows you | | | | through, sometimes blocking it, and other |
| to grant or deny access to your network to | | | | times asking you if you want to permit a |
| specific machines. NAT usually runs | | | | connection that is about to be opened. Most |
| automatically and requires no configuration. | | | | firewalls include a general set of rules |
| MAC address filtering requires you to enter | | | | about what is and what is not allowed, others |
| the MAC addresses of the computers you want | | | | may allow you to set your own rules. |
| to allow or deny. Wireless-networking devices | | | | |
| typically include WEP or WPA encryption. Both | | | | Things to consider about firewall software |
| forms of encryption help protect your | | | | |
| network, but WPA is much more secure than | | | | - Is it easy to install? |
| WEP. To implement WEP or WPA, you'll need to | | | | |
| enter an encryption key on all of the | | | | - Does it come with phone support? |
| wireless devices on your network; the product | | | | |
| user manual typically includes a detailed | | | | - Does it come with antivirus software? |
| explanation of how to do this. Some wireless | | | | |
| devices add authentication schemes, such as | | | | Hardware firewalls |
| 802.1x or LEAP, but these technologies are | | | | |
| better suited to large enterprises than home | | | | A hardware firewall works the same way as a |
| or small-office use. | | | | software firewall but has certain other |
| | | | advantages. Whereas a software firewall must |
| Things to consider about basic security | | | | be installed on each computer in your |
| features | | | | network, a hardware firewall centralizes the |
| | | | control of connections between your network |
| - Do you have a NAT firewall between the | | | | and the Internet, so you can be sure that all |
| Internet and your network? | | | | of the machines on your network are playing |
| | | | by the same rules. Hardware firewalls also |
| - Have you enabled MAC address filtering? | | | | use their own processors for port filtering |
| | | | and encryption tasks, which means that there |
| - Have you enabled WPA or WEP encryption for | | | | is little or no resource drain on the |
| your wireless clients? | | | | computers in your network, giving you better |
| | | | overall performance. Some firewalls also |
| - Do you need 802.1x or LEAP to connect with | | | | allow you to set up VPN connections from the |
| your office LAN? | | | | Internet to your personal LAN, providing you |
| | | | with a secure way to access your computers |
| Antivirus software | | | | while you're on the road. |
| | | | |
| A home or office network makes it easy for | | | | Things to consider about hardware firewalls |
| you to share files between computers, but | | | | |
| that also makes it easier for viruses and | | | | - How many ports does it have? |
| worms to wind their way through your | | | | |
| computers. Fortunately, you can immunize your | | | | - Does it perform stateful packet inspection? |
| computers with antivirus software. Antivirus | | | | |
| software detects and eradicates viruses | | | | - Can it establish VPN connections? |
| before they have a chance to spread. If you | | | | |
| plan to connect your network to the Internet, | | | | - How many simultaneous VPN tunnels can it |
| antivirus software is a must. | | | | support? |
| | | | |