Category: Security Page 73 of 75

Need For Firewall Protection

On January 20, 2012

January 20, 2012

It is very important to have proper security elements in place for your computer system irrespective of whether you use it for business or personal purposes. The main elements that can help safeguard your computer from dangerous virus attacks generally include anti-virus software and an appropriate firewall that helps keep unwarranted and illegal access at bay. There are all kinds of hackers working round the clock to gain access to information and data stored on various venerable systems and a single breach can prove to be quite harmful especially if you store confidential client information and business plans and policies on your systems.

Most of the Windows based systems these days come equipped with a firewall. In order to check whether the firewall in your system is functioning, you can follow a few simple steps and open the Local Area Network button in the Control Panel. The settings displayed by clicking on this button can allow you to turn on or turn off your firewall. For those who wish to go in for specified firewall protection on account of secret data stored on their systems, it is best to opt for advanced firewall protection by purchasing suitable software for the same.

There are mainly two kinds of identifiable firewalls that are used by corporate companies. These include a hardware based firewall and software based one. In the case of the former, the firewall is embedded into the hardware of the system and it does not use the energy or resources of your system in order to run. Thus, there is no requirement of extra memory or disk space for such a firewall. However, a software firewall, although running on the system’s resources is believed to be more potent as it is highly sophisticated and can ward off even the most complex attacks on your system. If you wish to go in for a software based firewall, you need to make sure that you have enough memory in place so as to enable your system to function smoothly and eliminate the risk of a system crash. Firewalls generally help keep away hackers by closing the internet ports that they may attempt to access.

We at Centex Technologies provide complete IT security and networking solutions for our clients. We also provide SEO and Web Development services. For more information, please contact us at our Killeen (254-213-4740) or Dallas (972-851-7878) Office.

Internet Marketing Austin – SEO Austin

Software Firewall Vs Hardware Firewall

By centexitguy

On September 6, 2011

In Security

September 6, 2011

Firewalls are protective installations on the operating system that can help keep your data safe and prevent virus or other attacks. It is essential to have an effective firewall in place specially if you store confidential data on your system, the loss or leakage of which can cause grave problems. A firewall can be an effective tool to combat malicious content that may invade your computer irrespective of whether you are using the internet at the workplace or at home. There are essentially two kinds of firewalls that can be installed. Internet users can either use the hardware firewall or the software firewall for warding off cyber attacks. It is also possible to use a combination of both of these for the most effective protection.

Although the same kind of broad functions are performed by both hardware and software firewalls, there is a certain degree of difference that separates both from each other. Hardware firewalls are the first to respond to any incoming attack that originates from outside your network and attempts to invade your operating system. They are the first physical equipment in the network that filters the incoming content. One significant advantage of hardware firewalls is that they do not need any special configuration of your system to be used. Any operating system on the local network is automatically protected by these firewalls without repeated installations on each of them.

A hardware firewall is present in the hardware components. Generally, it is present in the router and uses the process of filtration of packets to keep your system safe. There are several aspects of information that are examined by such firewalls including their source, their intended destinations, the headers by which they are known, etc. There are several in built rules with which such data is compared in order to determine whether the incoming packets are safe or not. At this stage, it is decided whether this data should be allowed to come into the system or should be discarded.
A software firewall on the other hand functions in a different manner from a hardware based one. A software firewall has to be installed onto the operating system be it a computer, a laptop, etc. As this kind of firewall is present on the system itself, it is much better at figuring out legitimate data and authentic information than hardware based one. Apart from figuring out the source and destination, it can also determine the port that is being used and the program that is trying to gain entry to your system.

For complete computer system protection, visit us at Centex Technologies. We are located in Dallas and Killeen in Central Texas and can be contacted on our toll free number – (800) 236-1497

Seo Austin – Web Development Austin

Virus Attacks Through Wireless Internet

By centexitguy

On August 17, 2011

In Security

August 17, 2011

The use of wireless internet technologies for surfing various web pages has been increasing for a long time due to the ease and convenience that it offers to users. People are no longer sticking to fixed broadband lines connected to a fixed operating system and are instead accessing the internet through portable devices like laptops, tablets, phones, etc. Many places these days we have wi-fi connections that can be accessed by procuring the requisite username and password from the owners either by paying a certain fee or even free of cost in some cases.

This kind of free access to the internet at public places is making web surfers more prone to virus attacks that may be made through the openness offered by wireless internet systems. Anyone in the vicinity who is able to receive the wi-fi signal can simply log on to the network especially if it is being offered free of cost. In such a network, there can be all kinds of security lapses that may put your system at the receiving end of virus attacks. There are some tips mentioned below to help you avoid such attacks or at least help reduce their incidence:

Before logging onto any kind of free internet at a public place, you should ensure that the network is protected by the required firewall and antivirus software so as to build a multi protected layer for your operating system. There should be a strong IT department taking care of such requirements. You should beware of connecting your laptop the internet in the vicinity without checking for security problems that the internet may have.

It is advisable not to access websites and fill in your username and password at sites that contain private information about you that if stolen, may pose a significant threat to you. You should refrain from opening bank related websites or shopping websites where you need to fill in credit card related information.

It is essential to have good antivirus software installed on your operating system to help ward off virus attacks. Although not completely fool proof, such software can help reduce the number of attacks that your system may be subjected to.

For complete system and network protection tips, feel free to contact us at Centex Technologies. We serve Central Texas including Killeen, Austin and Dallas.

Web Development Austin – Web Design Austin

Tips To Keep Your Website Secure

By centexitguy

On July 25, 2011

In IT Support, Security, Website Development

July 25, 2011

With the development in the web technology, the number of web sites that are being hacked is also on the rise. Keeping the website secure is an intricate issue that the web site designers and owners often fail to notice. Here are some important tips that you should always keep in mind to keep your web site safe and secure.

Keep your software updated: To prevent other people from taking advantage of your software ambiguity, make sure you update it from time to time and also download the patch program. If you are using the old version of any software, your web site is likely to be in a state of high insecurity. Thus, instead of manual updating, turn on the automatic updates of the software if it is available.

Use strong passwords to host account, FTP and control panel: Short and simple passwords are likely to be very easily accessed by the hackers. It is advisable to make your password as difficult as possible. The password should never contain your name, date of birth or any relevant information. Try to keep changing your password after every two or three months.

Update your antivirus: Make sure that you have updated antivirus software. Scan your computer frequently for any sort of viruses. It is possible that the hackers gain access to your passwords through any sort of viruses in your computer.

Backup your web site: Always have a complete backup of your web site. Even if it is hacked, you would not lose your files or the web site. Do not expect your web host to guard you if there is any blow. Do not store the backup files in the web servers. Instead, store them in the PC or USB.

Monitor your traffic regularly: Check your log files on a regular basis and monitor the visitors to your site. If there is anyone unusual, you need to be very careful. This could be a hacker.

Choose a trustworthy web host: Always go for a reliable web hosting service providers who offer customer support round the clock.

These are the important steps that you, as a web site owner, must take in order to keep your web site safe and secure. It is better to be cautious than be remorseful afterwards.

To know more how you can keep your website secure, feel free to contact us at Centex Technologies. We provide IT Support, Web Application Development, SEO and Internet Marketing services.

Web Development Austin – Web Design Austin

How SSL Protects Your Data Online

By centexitguy

On April 15, 2011

In Security, Website Development

April 16, 2011

How SSL Protects Your Data Online

Many business officials do not understand the significance of attaining an SSL Certificate for their internet site. This is because of the fact that most of the business owners do not know about the technicalities or how to get an SSL certificate for our website. The following article helps to clear the matter up.

Firstly, it may be sensible to describe about what an SSL certificate actually does. SSL is an acronym for the words: Secure Socket Layer Protocol Certificate. The certificate’s function is to permit a high degree of protection between the browsers and the servers. A SSL encrypts the data for ecommerce transactions (or other submitted data) to such a level that the data exchanged over the World Wide Web becomes extremely secure. Every SSL certificate utilizes unique credentials indentifying the certificate owner. The owner’s identity is authenticated before issuance of a SSL certificate. These SSL protocols basically assure that the website is legitimate.

You, as a business owner with an e-commerce site are surely going to acquire SSL certificate in an effort to ensure that all your transactions are extremely secure and safe. By attaining an SSL certificate, what you are basically doing, is not only legitimizing your own business and turning it to be more credible, but also assuring for yourself and the clients that your e-commerce transactions are much safer. For your customer, having a secure place to carry on business can make quite a lot of difference. Not only does an SSL Certificate make substantial sense in order to keep the information secure; it is also necessary when carrying out any money related transaction. We do not recommend users to provide their personal & financial information including SSN, Credit Card details etc on websites that do not have a valid SSL certificate. You can verify the same by looking at the address bar of your browser when you have opened up the page. The address bar should have HTTPS instead of HTTP.

Centex Technologies provides web hosting solutions to various clients across the globe. Contact us for web applications, security services, shopping cart installations, networking solutions, and IT consulting. We are located at 501 N. 4th Street Killeen, TX – 76541. We can be contacted at (800) 236-1497 anytime. Centex Technologies is always ready to assist you with the best we can.

Firstly, it may be sensible to describe about what an SSL certificate actually does. SSL is an acronym for the words: Secure Socket Layer Protocol Certificate. The certificate’s function is to permit a high degree of protection between the browsers and the servers. A SSL encrypts the data for ecommerce transactions (or other submitted data) to such a level that the data exchanged over the World Wide Web becomes extremely secure. Every SSL certificate utilizes unique credentials indentifying the certificate owner. The owner’s identity is authenticated before issuance of a SSL certificate. These SSL protocols basically assure that the website is legitimate.

Centex Technologies provides web hosting solutions to various clients across the globe. Contact us for web applications, security services, shopping cart installations, networking solutions, and IT consulting. We are located at 501 N. 4th Street Killeen, TX – 76541. We can be contacted at (800) 236-1497 anytime. Centex Technologies is always ready to assist you with the best we can.

SEO Austin – Web Development Austin