| As more people are logging onto the Internet | | | | the network. Some hackers can also view |
| everyday, Network Security becomes a larger | | | | information that they are not supposed to see. |
| issue. In the United States, identity theft and | | | | Destructive Attacks |
| computer fraud are among the fastest rising | | | | There are two major categories for destructive |
| crimes. It is important to protect your network | | | | attacks to a network. Data Diddling is the first |
| and ensure the safety of all computers and users | | | | attack. It usually is not immediately apparent that |
| in that network. | | | | something is wrong with your computer when it |
| What is a Network? | | | | has been subjected to a data diddler. Data diddlers |
| In order to fully understand network security, one | | | | will generally change numbers or files slightly, and |
| must first understand what exactly a network is. | | | | the damage becomes apparent much later. Once |
| A network is a group of computers that are | | | | a problem is discovered, it can be very difficult to |
| connected. Computers can be connected in a | | | | trust any of your previous data because the |
| variety of ways. Some of these ways include a | | | | culprit could have potentially fooled with many |
| USB port, phone line connection, Ethernet | | | | different documents. |
| connection, or a wireless connection. The Internet | | | | The second type of data destruction is outright |
| is basically a network of networks. An Internet | | | | deletion. Some hackers will simply hack into a |
| Service Provider (ISP) is also a network. When a | | | | computer and delete essential files. This inevitably |
| computer connects to the internet, it joins the | | | | causes major problems for any business and can |
| ISP's network which is joined with a variety of | | | | even lead to a computer being deemed useless. |
| other networks, which are joined with even more | | | | Hackers can rip operating systems apart and |
| networks, and so on. These networks all | | | | cause terrible problems to a network or a |
| encompass the Internet. The vast amount of | | | | computer. |
| computers on the Internet, and the number of | | | | The Importance of Network Security |
| ISPs and large networks makes network security | | | | Knowing how destructive hackers can be shows |
| a must. | | | | you the importance of Network Security. Most |
| Common Network Security Breeches | | | | networks have firewalls enabled that block |
| Hackers often try to hack into vulnerable | | | | hackers and viruses. Having anti-virus software on |
| networks. Hackers use a variety of different | | | | all computers in a network is a must. In a |
| attacks to cripple a network. Whether you have a | | | | network, all of the computers are connected, so |
| home network or a LAN, it is important to know | | | | that if one computer gets a virus, all of the other |
| how hackers will attack a network. | | | | computers can be adversely affected by this |
| One common way for a hacker to wreak havoc | | | | same virus. Any network administrator should |
| is to achieve access to things that ordinary users | | | | have all of the essential files on back up disks. If a |
| shouldn't have access to. In any network, | | | | file is deleted by a hacker, but you have it on |
| administrators have the ability to make certain | | | | back up, then there is no issue. When files are lost |
| parts of the network "unauthorized access." If a | | | | forever, major problems ensue. Network security |
| hacker is able to gain access to a protected area | | | | is an important thing for a business, or a home. |
| of the network, he or she can possibly affect all | | | | Hackers try to make people's lives difficult, but if |
| of the computers on the network. Some hackers | | | | you are ready for them, your network will be |
| attempt to break into certain networks and | | | | safe. |
| release viruses that affect all of the computers in | | | | |