A Beginner's Guide To Network Security Software

Hacking is a big business. Not too long ago, in 2013, 3 million credit card records along with IDs and encrypted passwords for 38 million "active users" were stolen from Adobe's database. Not only did Adobe have to pay $1.1 million in fines but they also had to pay the customers whose data had been stolen. Talk about a double whammy!

Hacking isn't just big business-it's a seriously eye-popping-jaw-dropping big business and it's payday every day for these Mr. Robot-type hackers. If you're not using Network Security Software to protect yourself and your personal data (and, of course, the data of your customers), you're going to have a bad time.


That's why you need Network Security Software- the Arcnet you need to keep hackers at bay!

What Is Network Security Software?

Hacking can be extraordinarily dangerous to businesses but it also threatens individual users. Whether you are Adobe trying to protect millions of user accounts or a lone gamer on the internet just trying to get some Minecraft in before bedtime, Network Security Software is essential to keeping everyone protected.

Simply put, Network Security Tools comprises any software or hardware that protects against users/ companies unauthorized users. Now, just like soccer players trying to score a goal from any angle on the pitch, hackers will try to get into a computer or a server from any angle possible. There are as many Network Security Software (NSS) options out there, as there are methods of computer intrusions.

Before we go down that rabbit hole, let's check out why Network Security Software was developed in the first place.
 

Network Security Software's Humble Beginnings

So how did we get from supercomputers the size of the Situation Room that only got hacked by lost moths (that's where the term bug comes from!) to (Artificial Intelligence) AI's in the Matrix hacking human brains and beyond? Even Neo might be surprised to learn that home Network Security
Software's origins began with their arch-nemesis-viruses.

In 1987, a German computer security expert named Bernd Robert Fix came up with the first solution to remove a virus called "Vienna" that infected .com files on DOS-based systems.

The origins of the virus are as unknown as the Matrix's truth but Fix's solution historically represents the first removal of a virus by an antivirus program.

Since then, many nasty little viruses and worms have affected everything from government agencies to your neighbor's unprotected computer. Though no specific data breach along with threat intelligence have spurred developments, over time, experts have worked tirelessly to create newer and better versions of Network Security Software to sell to businesses and consumers alike (yay, capitalism!).

You wanted to know about the types of NSS, right? Here they are, as promised.
 

Types Of Network Security Software

 

• Antivirus

  The type of network internet security you install will depend on your internet habits. If you're just protecting your own information, you may be able to get by with only antivirus software. If you're running a website, you may need more driven endpoint security software depending on the type of website you run, how much traffic you get and how you grant access to your users.

  Malware (short for malicious software) or viruses can come in many forms and hackers are developing new programs every day from their mother's basement. Computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, rogue software, and scareware are malware examples.

  One significant purpose of antivirus software is protecting users' passwords, login hints and credit card information by monitoring computers and network segmentation for computer viruses and the like.

• Firewalls

  Firewalls are software or hardware designed to block incoming traffic and filter it based on application security rules. Software firewalls are cyber threats programs that monitor incoming traffic. Hardware firewalls are devices between your computer and network that monitor and administer virus protection incoming traffic. You'll need both firewalls and antivirus software on your computer to ensure your users' safety and comply with some countries' regulations.

  Once a user is given access to the system, a "firewall" keeps users from getting into deeper network levels for which they don't have access. Not to so different from the way the ' Fat Lady' from Hogwarts, who would only let Gryffindors with the correct password enter the Gryffindor Tower.

• Access Control

  Access control is a monitoring and controlling system that controls who has access to your network. It uses different device security policies to control who has access to other sets of information online. Restricting information availability is one of the most basic data security and endpoint protection forms but it's essential for safeguarding your privacy online.

• Behavioral Analytics

  Behavioral analytics can detect unusual behavior that could be associated with hacking. First, behavioral analytics software will set up a baseline for how users generally use your network access control effectively. The software will then monitor the site for discrepancies or suspicious activity so that you can be aware of a hacking attempt and take immediate prevention measures.

  Want to know how these Network Security Software will exactly benefit you?

 

7 Benefits Of Network Security Software

While Network Security Software's most significant benefit is keeping dangerous viruses off your computer, it provides other benefits too that can keep you safe on the internet:
 

• Your financial records, such as credit card, debit card, or bank account information, are safer.

• Your PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is secure and defended from identity theft or fraud.

• Your online activity will be private, i.e., your Google search history for the correct spelling of necessary will remain between you and the search engine (by the way, the trick is one collar and two sleeves, google that, you're welcome).

• The data of a network's users from large-scale hacking is protected.

• You can keep your company's reputation from being damaged by a data breach. Think about the PR (Public Relationship) nightmare and the money wasted on damage control!

• Private information is protected from getting into the hands of rival companies.

• A cleaner index of the user's sensitive data will help websites run more efficiently.

While Network Security solution has a long history and is evolving as the internet becomes more complex, its fundamental purpose has always been to make sure the right people can quickly access data on a network administrator and keep the bad guys away from the data goldmine.

Apart from NSS, here are a few best practices to keep you and your data safe.
 

Best Practices Of Network Security

There are a few best practices you need to learn to keep yourself protected. This goes beyond the Network Security tool and some of these steps you can take without spending a dime on expensive antivirus or firewall solutions.
 

• Use a strong password.

• Encrypt private information.

• Ensure any software that you're using is updated.

• Take measures to secure your email.

• Don't click on or download anything from unknown sources.

• Secure your mobile devices.

• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypts your Internet connection.

• Avoid using open Wifi #SayNoToFreeAirportWiFi

Protecting your privacy is one of your most significant responsibilities when using the internet. Not only do you deserve the right to privacy but you can also lose a lot of money if someone accesses your data or your business' data. You don't want to lose money, do you?

Data is one of the most valuable commodities in the world right now. It would help if you protected it the way Frodo protects the One Ring from Gollum, even though it means he has to listen to all those "My preciousss..." lines for 12 hours in the director's cut.

All this makes you wonder, what will the future look like for NSS? Here's a glimpse of it...

The Next Steps For Network Security Services

The future of NSS is SASE, which stands for Secure Access Service Edge. Allow us to elaborate on that, SASE is the perfect union of network and best Network Security Software Solutions such as Firewall, Antivirus etc., which merges all previously separate cyber security solutions into one all-encompassing cloud solution. With a more robust and holistic network security capability, SASE helps businesses get the most from the global digital transformation without compromising network security threats. It will accelerate the adoption of cloud security native services and edge computing platforms, allowing companies to provide IT services at high speed with highly secured connectivity and decreased tool costs and who doesn't like that?

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