The Executive Suite: Ntwrk Hacking

Showing posts with label Ntwrk Hacking. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Ntwrk Hacking. Show all posts

Saturday, December 14, 2013

How to Keep People From Hacking Your Network

Wireless home networks are convenient, fast and easy to use. They also create a major security risk. If your network is unsecured, anyone within range can connect to your network. Even innocuous use by others can slow down your Internet connection, while more nefarious intruders may try to exploit your Internet connection for unsavory or illegal purposes. To prevent people from hacking in to your network, configure your router's security settings to make it as difficult as possible for an unauthorized user to join the network.

Suggestions

Enable WPA security on your router's configuration page. Most routers support both WEP and WPA; the former standard, however, is much less secure. Set a long password phrase for your WPA security; avoid obvious passphrases like your address; and include letters and numbers.
Disable SSID broadcast on your router. If your router is broadcasting your network's SSID, anyone within range can see that the network exists. With SSID broadcast disabled, only users who know the name of your network will be able to connect. Choose a difficult-to-guess name for your wireless network; again, avoid using an SSID that includes your name or address. Rename the network; a name like "linksys" or "netgear" is very easy to guess.
Change the password on the router software itself. The username and password on most routers are usually pre-set to "admin," or even a blank field. Changing this logon combination prevents hackers from gaining access to your router's software.
Enable the MAC filter on your router for the maximum level of wireless network security. Every computer and other wireless device has a unique MAC address. Find the MAC addresses of each computer on your network by typing "getmac" into a Windows command prompt on the computer, then configure your router to allow only connections from these MAC addresses.

Tips

Keep your router's firmware updated.
If your router has a built-in firewall, enable this feature.

The Executive Suite

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

How to Un-Hack a Hacked Network

Finding that your computer network has been hacked can feel like having your house burglarized. "Hacking" is the term used to describe an unauthorized user using a computer or network. Once a network has been hacked, it is evident that the hacker knows the security information needed to access the network. Therefore, changing the information is absolutely necessary.

Suggestions

Ascertain that the network has been hacked. Most people start to see several converging clues, such as memory being used that isn't apparent on the computer or billable services being used or depleted. On a PC, one area to check is the MS Start-up Configuration utility. Click Start and type "msconfig" in the text box that appears at the bottom of the Start menu. Click on the Services tab and check the box next to "Hide All Microsoft Service" at the bottom. Disable any service labeled lSASS.exe. This is a file name commonly used by hackers who hope that the user will easily mistake the corrupt file name for the authentic system file name "lSASS.exe".
Click on the Broadband icon on your desktop. Under "Firewall", ensure only port 80, 8080 is enabled. Disable the rest. If your computer does not have a firewall icon, Windows users can fine theirs by opening the Start Menu and clicking on "Control Panel" and then on the "Windows Firewall" icon. Click on "incoming connections" to ensure that port 80, 8080 is enabled as above.
Change all passwords related to your computer and network, ensuring that the passwords are strong. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the passwords have at least 8 characters, and include a mix of numbers and uppercase and lowercase letters.
Change all passwords and PINs to personal accounts and financial information that are accessed through that computer. Hackers may have obtained sensitive information, and it is critical that they not be able to continue to access personal accounts.
Shut down all computers at night, if possible. Many hacking attacks occur overnight and over weekends and holidays, when people are least likely to be minding their networks.

Tips

Never use for a password a word that could be found in a dictionary. Do not use otherwise with a number standing in for a letter or syllable. Write the passwords on paper, such as in your address book where you won't lose them.
Change passwords often, every month or so.
Install or update virus-scanning software to help secure the computer.
If you think your computer may still be hacked, or if you need to use more ports besides the two left open, call a computer networking security specialist to look over your system.

The Executive Suite

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