Did you know that protecting your small business is as simple as using endpoint protection software? It is an excellent idea to determine what devices are connected to your network currently, to make sure there are no foreign or unknown connections, to ensure there are no entry points exposed, and that no damage is being done.
Before you scan your business’s network, it is a good idea to back up your data. That way, if you find a vulnerability and need to revert to prior copies of your network software, you have a record. If you are concerned about what you may find when you run this scan, it is a good idea to choose a disaster recovery tool, just in case, your entire system is corrupted.
From passive network taps to hackers and ransomware, there are a lot of components and issues that may impact and affect the security of your network. Use the information here to ensure you are taking the necessary steps to protect your network.
Conduct a Vulnerability Scan
Even the affordable and free network security scanning tools can handle this process and let you know what all devices are connected to your business network. These tools will conduct a scan on your PCs, firewalls, routers, network appliances, services, applications, and system software to find any vulnerabilities that may be present.
This includes things like open ports, unpatched operating systems (OSes), poorly written scripts, and back doors. Chances are, you are already aware of the TVs, phones, laptops, and other business devices, but there may also be all sorts of smart devices connected to the business network, as well, that you didn’t realize were there or that you forgot you connected. There are also the unwanted connections you must worry about.
Disable the Universal Plug and Play Feature
Universal Plug and Play – UPnP – allows the data transfer between various connected devices on your network to occur, along with the automatic discovery of these devices. This is mainly used as a way to transmit music to an audio device, but UPnP is also used for sending video from your security cameras to monitors, to send a print job to printers, and to share data from one mobile device to another quickly.
Unfortunately, the use of UPnP is not suitable for a business environment. For example, UPnP traffic will consume too many resources in your business network. Also, UPnP-enabled devices will negotiate internet access with the router, exposing themselves to the internet. When you disable UPnP on all your devices, you can limit the exposure to hostile and external forces.
Block the Open Telnet Ports
IoT devices are much more vulnerable to exposure than devices that are regularly connected to the internet. What this means is that you need to make sure that open telnet ports in any IoT devices are blocked by the firewall used for a router. If they are not, then a hacker may use malware to attempt to log into the devices using combinations of different usernames and passwords.
Since most of the previous-generation Telnet interfaces were shipped in an open state by default and did not prompt the users to change the installed passwords, you are likely at risk for these types of attacks.
Protecting Your Network
When it comes to protecting your network, there are more than a few factors to consider. Take some time to consider the information here and, if necessary, hire a third-party service provider to help ensure you get the protection needed for your network. This is going to help protect your business and ensure that serious breaches or issues do not occur.
Remember, being informed and knowing what risks your business faces is half the battle. You need to keep this in mind to ensure that you make the most of your protection and security and that your network does not have any issues or vulnerabilities.
Programs to Keep Your Network Safe