Internet Security

When logon to the Internet we are not only downloading possible malicious script that is attached to our email and proceeds to take action and passing itself on through our address book. We may alternatively download some free software with some clever code built into the download and start deleting files from our computer or network system, or software with a built in Adware/Spyware that spying our surfing habit and system info. It also opens up to external attack especially if the network is on permanent connection to the Internet.

Although there is not yet any 100% protection available but at least we can have some protections to our system rather than let it running naked over the net, whether it's a single computer system or a network.

Viruses

How It Works: Viruses

Let's look at some Anti-Virus and Anti-Trojan software that detect and scan viruses attached in emails and hidden in downloads. Providing we keep the software program up-to-date with the latest virus information data, we should be safe from most imbedded viruses.

Anti-Virus

Anti-Virus Software

NAT

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a low-cost security option, a feature can be provided either by hardware - found in most low-cost router or by software - a proxy server such as the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) with the Windows 98 Second Edition. NAT is often part of a corporate Firewall.

How it works -

NAT hides the network's internal IP addresses from the outside world and is this feature that makes it so secure.

Using NAT combine with an Internet account and a dynamic address, is probably enough protection for small networks and small businesses that are not involved in ecommerce.

NAT can not totally protect the network from external attacks, there are tools, such as IP spoofers, that present themselves as being local users.

Firewall

A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorised access to or from a private network. Essentially firewall is the first program or process that receives and handles incoming network traffic and the last program to handle outgoing traffic.



Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software or a combination of both. The main task is to prevent unauthorised Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially extranets and intranets.

Firewalls use a variety of security techniques:

Packet filtering

All file downloads, web page retrievals, emails and Internet traffic travels in the form of packets. This technique examines every packet entering or leaving the network and accepts or rejects it based on user-defined rules. Packets can be allowed or disallowed on the basis of the source IP address, on the basis of the destination port or on the basis of protocol used.

Circuit-level gateway

This validates connections according to configurable rules before allowing data to be exchanged. It also scrutinizing packets, opens a session and permits traffic only from the allowed source and possibly only for a limited period of time.

Proxy Server

Intercepts all messages coming in and leaving the network. The proxy server hides the true network addresses. Some routers also feature NAT, which hides the IP addresses of the workstations behind the IP address of the router.
Proxy Server Software

Setting up a firewall requires a good technical understanding of the principles of TCP/IP and other networking protocols and technologies. Firewall Hardware

Dlink Internet Server/Firewall

NetGear Routers

Search for Firewall Hardware

Firewall Software

Internet Security Software

Top    

Encryption

Spyware / Adware

Internet Security Resources