365 Computer Security Training

The first step in protecting your home network is to install a hardware firewall or router. It will allow you to surf the net but prevent the sneaky eavesdroppers from accessing your network online.  Be sure to change the password on your router!  Do not leave the default password because sites are available that have default passwords for nearly every router made.  In addition, check the logs on your firewall or router to seen who is attempting access your machine.

If you have a wireless network, you should be even more careful with your network. It is extremely easy to sneak up on wireless networks and go undetected. And since a wireless connection is popular nowadays, you probably have even noticed, while you are checking your mails sitting in your bedroom; your neighbors network! Some ways to protect your WiFi connection are:

• Use preferred encryption methods in this order:

1. WPA2
2. WPA (been cracked)
3. WEP (been cracked). Use WPA and WEP if you have no other choice.

• Change your SSID code every two weeks and keep it something obscure that is hard to guess.
• Keep the ‘broadcast SSID’ option in your WiFi turned ‘off’.
• Turn off your WiFi when you are not using it and use an alternative.
• Disable DHCP on the entire network.

Install a web filter. This device controls access to certain websites and content. If you have children in the house, you might want to keep this turned on. There are some open source web filters available on the web like:

B Gone

K9 Web Protection

Privoxy

Parental Filter

Install a spam filter, desktop firewall software, and antivirus and make sure that you update and maintain these regularly.

Installing encryption software will prevent prying eyes from gaining access to your personal data. Apple has harddrive encryption functionality built-in. It is called FileVault. However, it does not work with Time Machine.?

There are also various password management software that let you create and remember extremely complex passwords. A useful tip: never use a single password for everything. Never use the password you use for your emails and bank accounts on open source software.

It is also important to install a back-up and recovery system. So that if, unfortunately, your computer crashes, you will still have all the important data and files intact.  These few tips will go a long way toward maintaining a secure home network.  The rest involves staying up to date on the latest security threats and acting accordingly.