Computer hackers can wreak havoc on personal networks. When a hacker breaks into a network, your financial data, or identifying information such as address or social security number can be accessed.
Hackers can unleash several types of harmful attacks on your network. These include viruses that infect applications, and malicious code that gets into your network by way of worms or Trojan horse attacks.
Computer users make themselves vulnerable in a variety of ways. Among the most common are failing to update software and not changing passwords frequently. However, there are steps you can take to protect your network and sensitive data from attempted attacks by computer hackers.
Download and enable anti-virus software. Anti-virus, or AV, software can be run periodically. It is designed to identify potential invaders to your network. You should also check periodically to see if patches are available to fix vulnerable holes in your operating system.
Installing firewalls is another step you should take to secure your personal network. You may recognize software firewalls as the notifications that pop-up when you install new software onto your computer. Hardware firewalls filter IP addresses in order to filter harmful ones and keep them from accessing your computer. For the single-computer user or laptop user, a software firewall may be sufficient. If you have several computers set up at home or in a small office, consider combining the software firewall with a hardware firewall for more protection.
In addition to installing firewalls and AV software, there are other steps you can take to keep hackers from gaining access to your personal network. Don’t open e-mail attachments from unfamiliar senders. Turn off printer and file sharing, which can leave you vulnerable to attack. Be wary of downloading files that end in exe, bat or com, as these can contain malicious code.