Carefully Examine the Source of Your Emails and Any Suspicious Looking Attachments.
Not all network security threats are targeted towards your office. In fact, your home is at risk of a number of major network hazards. Luckily, many of these are documented and there is a wealth of information on how to avoid them. Today, we’ll talk about three top network security threats and learn how to protect your home.
What are the Common Threats to Network Security?
There are numerous network threats out there on the web. Some take a subtle approach by disguising themselves as reputable software. Others utilize a more bombastic approach and try to scare you into giving away information. Three of the most common threats are phishing, spoofing, and Trojan horses. Any of these network hazards can be used to transfer malware onto your home computer and wreck havoc. Here’s the breakdown:
- Phishing – an aggressor tries to convince you to download a file or an attachment via email or another similar platform. Once downloaded, the perpetrator can install malware and potentially turn your computer into a controllable “bot”. Phishing can also be carried out over the phone by scammers asking for information.
- Spoofing – a perpetrator disguises themselves as a legitimate website. There they convince victims to download malware files or give away information.
- Trojan Horse – embedded in (what is or appears to be) legitimate software, Trojan horses open a foothold for hackers to gain access to your information and steal data.
How Do I Avoid These Threats?
Every security system depends on smart user habits; your home is no exception. When it comes to protecting yourself against malware, make sure your network is guarded with a capable firewall product. Make sure to purchase your security through reputable sites, however, as fake sites have tricked many homeowners into buying fake network security (loaded with malware). These often provide seemingly normal programs that have a Trojan horse embedded in the file. Defeating malware post-infection can be incredibly difficult and time consuming, as many have discovered with the recent VPNFilter malware crisis.
When it comes to phishing, it’s best to lean towards being overly cautious. Not every email from your grandmother is a phishing scam, but it only takes one mistake. When examining emails, ask yourself these questions…
- Would Grammy really send me an attachment with this unusual program name?
- Does my service provider usually ask for this sort of personal information via email?
- Is the tone of the email trying to scare me?
- Is this email worth the risk?
Spoofing can be harder to detect, but careful examination is usually enough to spot differences between the fake site and the real deal. Bookmark your favorite websites. If you’re Googling a website, make sure the URL looks authentic before you visit the site.
Professional Home Network Security Setup
If you feel like you’re in over your head, that’s okay. Many homeowners feel that way when it comes to facing these network security threats. We’d love to help you protect your network; our TotalTech Repair team offers professional Huntington Station, NY security setup for your personal or home-office computer. If you’d like to learn about how we protect local homeowners, give us a call at (631) 517-0021.