IT security concerns us in all areas. We must protect our computers, our online accounts, and the services we use. However, something fundamental is to maintain the security of our homes and businesses, of all the computers that connect to the network. Particularly for those who even use their home network for business.
In this article, we will go over some of the best ways to keep ourselves safe while surfing the web. Let us take a look:
- Why should you consider protecting your private network?
- What are the main recommendations we should follow to increase our IT security?
- Why is it important to secure IoT devices?
- What is a VPN and why is it useful for our safety?
- Why does VPN help our web browsing?
- How can we secure wireless networks?
- Why should you trust your cybersecurity provider?
1. Why should you consider protecting your private network?
We must know that it is not enough to keep a specific device secure, such as a computer or cell phone. We must always preserve the security of all the devices we use connected to the home network, as well as the network itself.
There exist many attacks that we can suffer and that target specific devices, but also in a generic way or the network itself. Therefore, we must make use of all kinds of tools and functions that can act as a barrier against hackers trying to access the equipment at home or work.
Many users today work from home. This means that they connect the company’s computers to the home network or connect to the company’s services and platforms from home. This also means that we need to increase the levels of our IT security.
2. What are the main recommendations we should follow to increase our IT security?
We are going to give a series of recommendations that we can apply to our equipment and systems to improve IT security in our trusted sites and homes. The objective consists of securing all devices, as well as the home network itself, to prevent intruders and attacks.
A fundamental step to protecting IT security in our homes involves using strong and complex passwords. This applies to all types of systems that we use, devices, passwords to access platforms, etc. A strong password must contain letters, numbers, and additional symbols. All of this should remain random and should not apply to any other location.
As we say, nowadays many users use their home network for work. This means that they connect to company systems or use certain work tools. Our advice consists of separating work from personal use at the device level. That is to say, to have exclusive equipment for work and another one for personal use. In this way, we will protect the security of our home network.
The router undoubtedly plays a fundamental role in all this. It allows us to connect to the network, to manage all the connection requests. We must take care of everything that surrounds this equipment and keep it in proper condition. Updating the firmware, for example, becomes essential. It makes it possible to avoid maintaining the factory settings, to protect the security points available to us, etc.
2.1 What other recommendations should be taken into account to maintain a good level of computer security?
All computers must include computer security tools. A good antivirus will prevent the entry of malware that compromises the proper functioning. In addition, there exist many attacks and types of malicious software that we can receive, but there are also many options to protect ourselves.
This applies regardless of the operating system we are using or the type of device. Furthermore, we can also count on the possibility of using a firewall for our network and infrastructure. There exist many occasions in which we can suffer vulnerabilities. Therefore, any type of program or operating system can have security flaws that could be exploited by hackers.
Finally, it becomes vital that we have all the necessary updates to protect ourselves. On the one hand, we will prevent these flaws from being exploited, but we will also improve the performance of the equipment. It remains true that some updates only worsen security, but this is not the case in most cases.
3. Why is it important to secure IoT devices?
The internet of things is becoming more and more common in our homes. We are talking about devices such as televisions, smart bulbs, and video players. If we want to protect our network, this type of equipment must be secure. Hackers often make use of these to access home networks. We must encrypt them with passwords and keep them updated, as well as configure different security aspects they may have.
This is the only way to protect them and prevent them from becoming a gateway for threats. Some of the measures that can solve or mitigate IT security problems related to IoT devices are: Keep applications and antivirus updated. Incorporate secure communication channels through cryptography or authentication based on a shared secret key.
Constant training and awareness of all employees. It is common knowledge that the user is the weakest link in the chain. And cybercriminals are aware of this. What is more, most of the cyberattacks suffered by companies have their origin in the workers. Hence the need for them to be properly trained in cybersecurity and to be fully aware of the dangers of the web.
Also, we can prevent unauthorized access to devices. This can take place by limiting remote access to certain information and by creating different levels of user hierarchies on computers. Require secure login credentials. For example, periodically change passwords. Avoid using familiar data or logical series of numbers, among other methods for creating good passwords.
4. What is a VPN and why is it useful for our safety?
VPN connections are by no means a new invention for IT security, but it is only now that they are beginning to gain traction among the general public. While their use was traditionally more common in the business environment, the great versatility of these types of connections and their multiple uses are making them increasingly popular.
It is precisely this versatility that is creating some confusion as to what exactly these VPNs are, as VPN connections are increasingly being associated with “evil” (with big quotation marks), as some of its features include circumvention of geo-blocking, increased anonymity on the web or even ad blocking.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which, unlike other more cryptic computer words such as DNS or HTTP, do give us fairly precise clues as to what they consist of. The keyword here is virtual since it is this property that generates the need for the VPN itself, as well as allowing VPN connections to offer the multiple uses we will see below.
4.1 How can we use it for our security?
It is fundamental to use VPN services with total security and never compromise our information. As we have seen, there really exist many options available to us, both free and paid, and they come for all types of devices and operating systems.
Avoid free VPNs. This is undoubtedly the most important tip. As we have mentioned, we can use both free and paid features. However, the former is usually neither secure nor private. After all, services that offer free of charge have to generate revenue in some way.
Always download them from official sources. Of course, whenever we are going to use this type of tool we must always download them from official sources. There are many options and sometimes we can find them on third-party sites. The ideal is to install them from official sites, from guaranteed sources. This way we will maximize security.
Use an option that has a kill switch. This feature is very important. It means that in case of any problem and the service is cut, it automatically paralyzes the Internet connection. This prevents data leakage. Not all VPNs have this solution, but it is certainly something to bear in mind.
5. Why does VPN help our web browsing?
VPNs are increasingly used. As we have said, VPNs are increasingly being used by users. One of the reasons for this is that in recent times there has been a significant increase in remote work. This means that many users make use of tools of this type to be able to connect from anywhere to the company’s equipment. And in addition to being a viable method of IT security.
The uses we can put it to be very varied. First, there comes safety, which plays a fundamental role. We can now connect to public wireless networks with better guarantees and without risking our privacy. This is because these services encrypt the data we send as if they were traveling in a tunnel without being able to be seen.
But we must also take into account that it offers a range of possibilities to surf the net. For example, we can access content that is limited to a certain country. Let us say we are traveling abroad and we want to watch a series that broadcasts on a streaming platform but is limited to the territory.
We could simulate that we are connected from that specific place, even though we are thousands of kilometers away. The use of a VPN apart from providing us with security gives us more options when surfing the web by ourselves.
6. How can we secure wireless networks?
Another essential point of computer security is to secure wireless networks. Wi-Fi is extensively used for all types of electronic devices. However, if it does not have protection, it can also be the entry point for different types of attacks. It is essential that we use a strong password on the Wi-Fi, as well as current encryption, avoiding obsolete ones such as WEP.
Some important points for IT security are: Do not allow the wireless device to indicate its presence. Disable the broadcast of the SSID (Service Set Identifier) network identifier to prevent the wireless device from announcing its presence to the world around you.
As before, it is very easy for a hacker to find out what the device manufacturer’s default SSID name is and use it to locate the wireless network. Change the default SSID name of the device and try to avoid using a name that can be easily guessed. In the connection settings, make sure you enable encryption.
If the device supports WPA encryption, use it; otherwise, use WEP encryption. Make sure you install an effective anti-malware program on all computers and other devices. To keep anti-malware protection up to date, select the automatic update option in the product.
7. Why should you trust your cybersecurity provider?
One of the best tips for improving an organization’s security is to use compatible solutions. It becomes important that the functionalities integrate well with each other, which will avoid headaches for the IT teams. It ensures that they can implement them without slowing down the business.
As we have already said, cybersecurity is a very important tool to protect our company or even our home network. At Connect Tech’s security, we offer all the areas mentioned in the previous points and every day incorporates more and more cybersecurity solutions and IT outsourcing for you. We remind you that our cybersecurity services range from data protection to protection against malicious websites.
Are you looking for a cybersecurity solution that will guarantee that you surf the Internet safely and securely? At Connect Tech we offer you the best cybersecurity services. If you need more information you can call us at +971 43 316 688. You can also request information by emailing us at contact@connectech.dev.
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