What is network security? How can you keep your network safe

What is network security? Network security helps keep Internet Connection safe.

If I talk about technology, then technology began in the 19th and 20th centuries. Technology has made all the tasks of the world easier.
When the Internet developed in the 1990s, the world’s access to information also accelerated.

Social media platforms, email, SMS, websites, and extras have become a part of our lives. Education has become easier, and business transactions have also become easier through technology.

Technology has made life easier, but always remember one thing: just as we keep a lock to protect our home, network security is very important to keep the digital world safe so that no hacker can enter your system. In this post, I will tell you what network security is and how you can keep yourself safe in the digital world.

Understanding What is network security?

Network security aims to protect your internet and data, ensuring that no one, including hackers, can access or compromise them. Whether you are using a computer, mobile phone, or any other digital device, this security helps safeguard you from harmful attacks, viruses, and data theft.

Why is network security important to us?

Today, you do all your work on the internet, be it studying, online banking, online shopping, or using social platforms.
Whatever network you are using for your work, if it is not secure, your data could be stolen or a virus could be introduced into your system, so network security is very important.

Let me give you an example of why network security is important.

• Colonial Pipeline Hack: This cyber attack took place in 2021. This attack targeted the largest natural gas pipeline in the USA, which led to a large-scale gas shortage in the country, spreading fear among the people.
  Hackers hacked into the gas company’s system and took full control. Hackers demanded millions of dollars to restore gas.

“The purpose of giving this example is to show that if the security in the system is not strong, there is a risk of the system being hacked.

Types of network security And ways to keep digital devices safe

There are many types of network security that protect networks at different levels to keep the digital world safe. You may or may not call them separate types, as they all work together to strengthen your network, ensuring that no hacker can break into it.

• Network Access Control (NAC)
• Application Security
• Cloud Security
• Wireless Security
• VPN Security
• Firewall Security
• Email Security
• Web Security
• IoT
• Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

Network Access Control (NAC)

Network Access Control (NAC) is a network security solution that prevents unauthorized devices from entering your network. It is designed to allow only those devices and services that help protect against security threats like viruses and malware.

Example:

Imagine there is a VIP party, and a guard is standing at the entrance. His job is to allow only those people who have an invitation, while those without an invitation are not allowed inside.

Similarly, NAC prevents unauthorized devices from entering the system to protect against cyberattacks.

NAC is not just a security tool but rather a security model. It is built using various security software and hardware devices. Different companies create NAC solutions and provide them to users so they can keep their networks secure, such as:

• ✅ Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
• ✅ Fortinet: Fortinet NAC Solutions
• ✅ Palo Alto Networks—Palo Alto NAC
• ✅ Aruba Networks: Aruba ClearPass

Application Security

Application security is a security system that protects mobile or system applications, web apps, mobile apps, bank apps, and cloud apps that run on the internet, i.e., the network, from cyber attacks. Its job is to protect people’s data so that no one can steal their data.

• For exampel: In 2021, a Facebook data leak occurred, exposing the data of 533 million accounts. Overall, across multiple data breaches, more than 3 billion accounts have been affected.

Key elements involved in application security

• 1️⃣ Web Application Firewall (WAF) 🔥

A web application firewall is a security system that protects web apps from malware and cyberattacks. It blocks traffic that is harmful to your apps.

I gave you the example: of a party invitation, where when a party is happening somewhere, a guard stands outside the gate of the party, whose job it is to let those people into the party who have an invitation from that side and not let those who don’t have one enter. It works in the same way.

• 2️⃣ Antivirus softwares 🛡

Antivirus software scans all the content on your system, and its job is to remove any malicious content that may be in the form of a virus.

Cloud Security

Cloud security is a simple and effective security system that protects your data on extra storage in your system, such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Drive. So that no one can access your data.

How to protect your cloud storage I will tell you some ways by which you can protect your data that is present in the system in extra storage like Google Drive, etc.

• Encrypt the data

Encrypt your data. For example, if you have a password list in your Google Drive, convert it into a secret code. This way, only you can read the file, and no one else. This is how you encrypt your data. Even if your data is stolen, no one can read it except you.

• Use 2FA

That is, when you open your cloud storage and type your password, you will receive an OTP four-word on your number. This is the method of 2FA, which keeps your data more secure.

Wireless Security

The job of wireless security is to protect WiFi and wireless networks from being hacked so that no one can use your network.

For example, if you have Wi-Fi installed in your home but don’t have a password, anyone who passes by your house can use your network because your network will automatically connect to their device whenever they pass by your house. Wireless security is essential to keep your wireless network secure so that no one else can misuse your internet connection.

The risks of hacking Wi-Fi are high because it is transferred through the air without any physical connection cable, which is easy to hack, so I will tell you how you can protect your Wi-Fi network from hackers or people who may misuse your network.
“WiFi encryption (WPA2, WPA3) and MAC Filtering both strengthen your WiFi system. “

• 1️⃣ WiFi encryption (WPA2, WPA3):

It converts the Wi-Fi network into a secret code that keeps your network secure. This method works in such a way that no one else can connect to it without your permission.

• 2️⃣ MAC Filtering:

What is MAC? MAC is the address of your Wi-Fi that helps you identify it. Through MAC, you can allow only those people you know to use the network, and those you don’t know—that is, unknown devices—cannot use your network.

VPN Security

A VPN is a security system that encrypts your network to ensure that your internet connection remains secure, allowing you to use the internet safely, especially on public Wi-Fi where cyber threats are more likely. A VPN hides your real address so that your network identity stays protected.

For example, if you are in a cafe, hotel, or airport and are using public WiFi, it protects your network from being hacked and information stolen.
Or you can imagine that you are walking through a secret passage where no one can see you and you are safe.

Firewall Security

A firewall network security is software that blocks unnecessary traffic coming from the Internet. The job of a firewall is to allow access to traffic that is beneficial for you and block traffic that is harmful.”

For example, “You are using the Internet, and while using it, a suspicious IP address tries to enter your network. The firewall security system prevents this suspicious address from entering so that your system’s network remains secure.”

Email Security

An important part of network security is email security, which protects your email from threats like Phishing, spam, and malware. You know that email communication is the most widely used medium and is the target of most hackers and cybercriminals.

For example, you receive an email that says, “I am speaking from a PayPal company or bank employee. There is a problem with your account. Please click on the “Verify Now” button. Enter your username and password. This is a phishing email.”

You may not recognize these emails, but there are some security tools and protocol that can help you recognize them.

• ✔ DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) Email security protocols

This is an email security protocol that prevents phishing email attacks. When an email arrives, it verifies whether the email has come from the same domain or company. If it has any doubts about the email, it blocks it.

• ✔ Microsoft Defender for Office 365

This is an advanced security tool that protects people using Office 365 accounts by preventing phishing, malware, and similar attacks.

• ✔ Avast Free Antivirus

Avast is an antivirus software that scans all the data on your system. If there are any malware or suspicious email links, it gives you a warning.

• ✔ Norton 360 with LifeLock

It is also a security system that provides your system with anti-phishing, anti-spam, and malware protection. If any dangerous link arrives in your email inbox, it filters and blocks it to keep your system safe.

• ✔ Bitdefender

It is a more powerful antivirus software that provides more protection than other software.

• ✔ Kaspersky

It is an advanced email security software. Its function is also to block phishing attacks and malware attacks. It scans your email box and filters suspicious messages.

These help you identify phishing emails.

Web Security

Web security’s job is to keep web browsing on the network safe in order to protect against cyberattacks. Cyberattacks include:

• Malware: Harmful softwares
• Phishing: Fake emails
• Hacker Attacks: Cybercriminals attempting to breach your network or website.

1. A web application firewall is a security system that protects your website and web applications from unwanted incoming traffic.

2. HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) This is a security protocol that encrypts (converts into code) the information between your website and your web browsing. Its job is to ensure that your sensitive information, such as your password, credit card number, and personal details, cannot be stolen.

For example:

You sent a message to your friend or anyone, and if a hacker steals your information between you and your friend, that’s why HTTPS is a must. What does HTTPS do? You sent a message to your friend. Suppose you sent a video to your friend, but a hacker is sitting between you and your friend who hacked this message, but he won’t be able to read it because HTTPS does what it does. It encrypts the message, that is, it converts this message into a secret code so that no one can read it. But when the message is sent to you, it is in a good condition, so that you can see and read it.

The word “S” in HTTPS stands for “Secure,” meaning that your website or application is secure. You can tell if a website is secure by looking at the “https” in the URL of your browser. This indicates that the website uses encryption to protect your information from hackers.

Internet of Things (IoT) Security

In today’s technological world, many devices are connected to the internet, such as smart home devices, automated lights, CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi routers, and industrial machines. If these automated systems are not properly secured, hackers can take control of them and use them for their own purposes. To keep them safe, certain security measures are necessary:

• Data Encryption: This converts your network data into a secret code, making it unreadable to unauthorized users.
• Endpoint Security: It protects your devices from attacks like viruses and malware.
• Firewall: Like a strong wall, it stands in front of your system to block unauthorized access.

All these methods strengthen your network security so that your system remains safe and no one can hack it. And at the same time, I also told you about the types of cyber threats, what they are and how they affect your system, such as malware (malicious software), phishing attacks (fraudulent emails and links).

Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

This is a type of network attack that overwhelms your data or website with excessive traffic, causing your system to crash and become unusable. To explain this better, let me give you a well-known example.

• In 2016, the Dyn DDoS attack took place, which caused major websites like Twitter, Reddit, and Netflix to crash. The attackers used a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) cyber attack to flood these websites with massive amounts of traffic, ultimately making them inaccessible.

• Use DDoS protection services to avoid them.
• Install firewalls
• Install antivirus software

Conclusion

Network security is essential for digital devices, as it strengthens our internet connection and protects us from cyberattacks. I have explained different types of network security, which you may or may not consider as separate categories because they all work together to fortify your network. This security helps prevent cyber threats such as malicious software (malware), fake emails (phishing attacks), and harmful attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), which overwhelm a system with excessive traffic.

• I have shared my research with you. If you have any kind of issue or question, feel free to ask me in the comment box.

• If you ever face a cyberattack, whether today or in the future, you can also reach out to me via email. I am available 24/7, and I will help you in any way I can.

If you want to know more about cyber threats, then visit my site. Technologyn.site 👉

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