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