Home Network

A home network or home area network (HAN) is a residential local area network. It is used for communication between digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices. An important function is the sharing of Internet access, often a broadband service through a cable tv or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) provider. Additionally, a home server may be added for increased functionality.

Most homes probably have more items attached to their home network than half of the small businesses out there but are we thinking network? The kids have a computer(always on yours and it doesn't act right afterwards), one for work, the one you have had since '98 and your entertainment PC. Most people accept the pre-installed anti virus on pc's and when they run out users seem to ignore, forget or just won't renew. Is your router set up with all non used ports closed? Are you blocking sites so the young ones won't get lost. With our busy lives who has time for those type of issues?

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Rootkits

A rootkit is a software or hardware device designed to gain administrator-level control over a computer system without being detected. Although rootkits can serve a variety of ends, they gained notoriety as malware, appropriating computing resources without the knowledge of the administrators or users of affected systems. Rootkits can target the BIOS, hypervisor, boot loader, kernel or less commonly, libraries or applications.

Most anti virus software will not detect a rootkit because it comes on after the rootkit has started in the boot memory. When the anti virus starts the rootkit is already hiding doing its job. Most people notice changes happening to their pc and run the anti virus but nothing changes and it might get worse. At this time you probably should consult with some one who can help fill these holes in your system.

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Vista Service Packs

One thing I have noticed with the onset of windows 7, vista is having serious problems. Most of the time the root of the problem is not updating your service packs. Vista has two and they must be done in order. Most people think they get viruses from the websites that their kids or spouse visit but it could be the lack of updates. Anti-virus is like having a guard at your front door 24/7. He doesn't move from that spot and all he will know is that no one will enter this door. If you don't have your service packs then that will be like having your back door and windows wide open. The front door guard has no clue to the activity taking place at the back door. These holes have to be filled and microsoft and security experts know how to plug them. Once these holes are filled the front door job becomes important again, he just needed a little help. Please help your O.S. protect itself. Do your updates.

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What is Social Engineering?

 Social engineering -Art of manipulating persons in order to bypass security measures and tools. The purpose is to obtain confidential information from users through phone, e-mail, snail mail or direct contact and secondly use these data to gain illegal access.

Social Engineering happens every day and the first line of defense is to acknowledge its existence.We must understand that we have to protect our info from others.To do this sometime we have to sacrifice convenience for security. Starting with your pc, stop leaving sticky notes with passwords on them attached to your screen. If you use the pc everyday please remember the password. You might not read anyone else's  info but there is always someone waiting to get yours. If you have not been instructed to give out job info or if you did not request info that's in your email, don't give it to them. Always verify why it is needed. Awareness is the key. If it sounds to good to be true, it is. Even on your job if someone requests sensitive info please verify with your supervisor. This will save you a lot of trouble. Social Engineers are skill at retrieving info and they know what questions  to ask to push the right buttons. They might have to try a hundred times but they only need one person to slip up and they are in and this could take down a whole network. Always ask why when these request come from outside the normal channels and it could save you or your company a lot of grief. Once again always be aware.

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