10 tips to a secure network

Computer connected networks are essential for communication & data information share today. Network security is a very delicate issue.

Now, there are many options to secure your network but the tips mentioned below will prove to be the easiest to implement, least time-consuming, cheap and quite secure.

Here are my 10 tips to a secure network:

1. Encrypt Wi-Fi accesses and use encryption passwords

An outsider can connect to your Wi-Fi if you are using the default settings. It is better to use the personal mode of WPA or WPA2 security at the least.
WPA2 is more secure in terms of encrypting.
Use encrypted passwords (enterprise mode), if you have employees or unreliable users.
It means that original password is not saved on all of the network’s devices.
Instead you can assign each user a separate passkey that can easily be changed if employee leaves or revoked if the device is lost/stolen, eliminating the need of changing the password on all the equipment.

2. Employ MAC address filters

MAC address filtering is not too reliable a technique and hackers can fool it without too much struggle but adding it is a good thing, nonetheless, because it can keep off casual sniffers and make it a bit arduous and slower for hackers to gain access to the network.

3. Use Virtual LAN for guests or unreliable users

It would be foolish to let guests or not-to-be-trusted users into your private network that you are striving so hard to secure.
If you want to provide accessibility to such users, make sure to have such routers that support VLANs and/or multiple SSIDs so that you can setup separate virtual network inside your own for those users.

4. Setting up and implementing internet usage rules

Necessary though too for home networks, it is requisite for organisations to have internet usage rules and regulations set up and enforced.
Interestingly, surveys show that mere announcement reduces harmful activity by 80%.

5. Firewalls and their right direction

Many network security planners overlook the fact that attacks are as likely to come from inside as much as outside.
So, installing firewalls just on the borders is not sufficient
and there must be protection and checkpoints on the inside.

6. Anti-virus and Anti-spyware protection

It does not help to have anti-virus and anti-spyware protection (in windows) in only one (server) or some PCs.
This seems the most basic thing and childish to remind but it is so important that one cannot be satisfied unless making sure of it.
Check also that your dues are currently paid and definitions are up to date.

7. Use encryption techniques on your storage devices

Use encryption on your hard drives and all storage devices particularly on the ones that go or will go outside ever.
You don’t want to lose your data or passwords in case of theft or robbery of your hardware in public places.

8. Have backups!

It seems the simplest but is very important and does not need explaining.

9. Physically secure your router and ports

This one is yet another simple and obvious advice but the most essential.
Keep your router and LAN ports hidden from public reach as you don’t want someone manually taking over or resetting your router.

10. What to do when infected?

Planning normal defence is necessary but planning an emergency or breach-time strategy is more important as you can never be sure of type of attack you may be facing.
So, if symptoms of infection (slow PC speed, slow network, unusual behavior by desktop and emails being rejected) start to occur, you must have a plan to implement e.g. finding and secluding the infected areas.
 
These were 10 of the most critical steps you can take to keep your data from ending up elsewhere and none of them takes much time or effort to accomplish! Good day.