How to Take on Hackers by Utilizing Virtual Weapons!

Online Thieves Strike Again

A recent update on online theft created waves all over the internet. A Trojan called ‘Pony’ allegedly stolen crypto currencies worth around $220,000 from users’ online wallets. The Trojan worked as an advanced botnet from September 2013 to January of this year. The thieves stole around 700,000 online user credentials and accessed 85 wallets.

The crypto currency addresses and wallets are anonymous, which made it impossible to contact the wallets’ owners. Hence, a new web page has been created where owners can enter their wallet’s public key to verify whether their wallet accounts have been affected or not.

The German Connection

According to Germany’s Internet Security Agency, hackers stole User IDs and Passwords of 16 million German users. This hacking incident took place in January of this year. Many of the targeted computers were infected with malware after this cyber-attack. The authorities started a probe to look into the matter.

Protecting your Virtual Fortress

The above two instances prove how a lack of virtual security can cause havoc and lead to huge financial and data losses. If a robust and foolproof security system is not in place, hackers can break into a network with their sophisticated malware and other forms of viruses to steal and infect key information. In addition, online attacks like Denial of service (DoS) are used for blocking access to specific websites. Cyber criminals also use Domain Name System (DNS) information to redirect web traffic for their personal gain. Hackers are always on the prowl to break into a virtual infrastructure and tamper with the configuration. It results in the compromising of key devices that create security loopholes. 

For comprehensive security, your organization needs the Next Generation Firewall (NGF) with the following features:

• Firewall with user identity-based decision making to prevent errors related to IP addresses.
• Firewalls that are integrated with Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, Web Filtering, VPN for security, connectivity, and productivity.
• Multiple virtual security zones
• Firewall appliance with dynamic routing
• Centralized security management
• Layer 8 identity-based security

So, with the comprehensive Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliances including firewalls, a barrier is established between a secure internal network and an outside network. Firewalls keep the destructive forces away, which come up from the Internet. Thus, they keep your network and business completely secured.

How Firewall Make Your Network Secure

Today the need for internet security has increased, thanks to the humongous amount of data being generated and stored online on a day-to-day basis. Organizations have even started using a modern web application firewall for protecting confidential data stored like client information, financial data, bank account details, medical histories, investment details and other significant data. As such most small and big companies today employ the latest unified threat management system to protect their confidential information.

A typical firewall is expected to do 3 things:

• It stores all data with multiple backups so that it can be recovered as and when the need for the same arises.
• It also encrypts the data in a safe and secure manner so that later can be safely stored, transferred or archived for further reference.
• It protects the data from being tampered or modified and unauthorized access with the help of passwords and other state-of-the-art security measures.

In addition to the above, companies also need to prevent from intruders, hackers and other unauthorized web access. This is done with the help of application control software that restrict entry to the systems for services which are not directly authorized.

To read more visit: http://daydaily.com/2013/01/29/firewall-network-security/

Difference Between Hardware Firewalls And Software Firewalls

There are basically two types of firewalls:- 1.hardware firewalls, 2.software firewalls.

1. It is a physical device that is located between networks connections and the computers that are    operating on the network.
2. It is also known as personal firewall as it can be installed in the personal computers as well for domestic use.

Some use both of these firewalls uniquely for both of them covers a blanket of protection.

A hardware firewall is used only if there is a use of more than three computers that shares a particular Internet connection for home or for business transactions. It acts as a barrier between the Internet and all computers that have an internet connection within them. Though it vary in prices then also they are very cheap than the software firewalls.

A software firewall can also be referred as a ”personal” firewall as it is very unique for protecting individual computers not depending upon whose network it is based on. One thing must be kept in mind that if there is use of a dangle in a personal computer or laptop then the use of firewalls is a must. It must be a first process of safety measures for computer security. What is most essential is that with the introduction of firewalls also the computer is not fully secured, the use of anti viruses and anti-spy work products must be installed for total protection.

Basic Difference:-

1. Hardware firewalls is basically used for large scale industries whereas Software firewalls is used mainly for small scale retail industries.
2. Hardware firewalls is basically a physical device located between the networks and the computers having internet connection. A Software firewalls is mainly installed in personal computers.
3. Hardware firewalls is most cost-effective and therefore they are easy to purchase whereas Software firewalls are relatively costlier.
4. Hardware firewalls is mainly designed to prevent the outside intruders for blocking and getting access in your network, Software firewalls is designed to prevent intruders also but its scope is limited as it is only for a personal computer.
5. Hardware firewalls use various techniques whereas Software firewalls have a limited technique.
6. Hardware firewalls can be bought individually irrespective of that the Software firewalls have to be bought with a computer or with a system.
7. A Hardware firewalls can separate a computer from its process and A Software firewalls helps to separate only a personal computer system.
8. Hardware firewalls is not as hard as the out-going traffic whereas Software firewalls is comparatively far harder.
9. Hardware firewalls  is good at blocking direct intrusions or any deactivating codes, and Software firewalls is used basically for detecting Trojans and email viruses.
10. Hardware firewalls  is much more protective than the Software firewalls.

Both these two types of firewall is used for protecting computers in a big scale industries or for personal computer process. It is used basically in computers but it is not so protective as use of antivirus is still required.