Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Computer Tip of the Day "09-01"

Provide Security for your Internet Connection.

Most businesses have broadband (high speed) access to the Internet. This may be from a local cable TV company or a local telephone company. It is important to keep in mind that this type of Internet access is always "on." Therefore, your computer - or any network your computer is attached to - is exposed to threats from the Internet on a 24 hour a day/7 day a week basis.

For broadband Internet access, it is critical to install and keep operational a hardware firewall between your internal network and the Internet. This may be a function of a wireless access point/router or may be a function of a router provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) of the small business. There are many hardware vendors which provide firewall wireless access points/routers, firewall routers, and firewalls.

As recommended in Section 2.1, ensure that your and your employees’ home systems are protected by a hardware firewall between your/their system(s) and the Internet.

For these devices, change the administrative password upon installation and regularly thereafter. It is a good idea to change the administrator’s name as well. The default values are easily guessed, and, if not changed, may allow hackers to control your device and thus, to monitor or record your communications (and data) to/from the Internet.

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