HOW SECURE IS YOUR NETWORK?

Attacks on computer networks from the Internet have dramatically increased in sophistication and frequency over the last year. These attacks are affecting all types of networks from a handful of users up to large corporations.

Check now to see how secure your network is.

• Check that your anti-virus solution is up to date. You should be updating virus definitions at least weekly, preferably using an automated update system.
• Use a free web based security testing tool to test how vulnerable your computer is. Try the Symantec Security checking tool from their web site.
• If you want to find out which vulnerabilities exist on your servers then please download and run the following Microsoft Security Checker tool.
• Read ConsultNet’s security tips.
• If these tests have shown any weakness in your system, or you want further open and honest advice then please contact ConsultNet and we will be pleased to provide an on-site network evaluation.

Taking these steps now could save you a lot of time, money and inconvenience in the future. By following the easy steps below, you can find out how vulnerable your network is.

Many people believe that their IT system is not a computer hacker's target. This can be an expensive mistake. Even if you believe that the data you store on your network is not sufficiently sensitive to attract a hacker attack, most of the more common attacks occurring today use automated systems, roaming the Internet looking for vulnerable networks. These attacks can occur randomly so it's only a matter of time before any poorly protected system is hit. This will cost time, money and possibly lost data.

The occurrence of hostile email attachments, such as worms and viruses, tripled during the last year. In the early months of 2001, only one out of every 1,053 had a malicious attachment. Now a year later, that frequency has jumped to one out of every 325 emails according to IT industry analysts.

On top of that, one in three companies are hacked using a variety of methods, and according to industry statistics, a growing number of individuals are becoming victims. Web sites, corporate networks and home networks can all fall prey, and the problem is increasing.

The complexity of security solutions can also cause problems. Many are complicated and time-intensive to configure and need a high degree of knowledge so that they are correctly installed and maintained.

During 2003, Microsoft released 120 urgent security patches to its software, many of which are critical for the safe use of the Internet. In the first two months of this year, Microsoft has already released another ten. These critical patches plug holes exploited by viruses and hackers. Recent national press stories have described how seriously Microsoft is taking these issues. Microsoft has recently suspended much of its new software development in order to concentrate on improving the security of its current products. Microsoft is not alone; many other software publishers are also taking radical steps to improve the security of their products.