Lay Person Guidelines to Help Secure your Network

 

  1. Wireless networks: Always ENCRYPTION for you wireless connections

Using 128-bit encryption or higher makes your Wireless Network more secure. WEP and WPA are entirely different encryption schemes. WEP has been proven insecure and can be cracked in a few minutes using free utilities that can be downloaded from the Internet. Using at least WPA is recommended, because it is much more secure, but is sometimes a bit harder to set up correctly than WEP is, and isn't completely secure.[1] [2] Some older access points or wireless cards do not support WPA2. If you have one of these, it is recommended that you purchase a newer one that supports WPA2, depending on how important you consider your security.

  1. Next, install the Operating System to it’s basic level (i.e. Out of the box configuration),
  2. Where applicable (or required) I transfer existing data and/or applications to the new system (obviously if it’s not a computer this is a moot step...),
  3. Next, I install any Antivirus, anti spam and Malware tools that we’ve selected,
  4. I then run a complete scan on your system BEFORE connecting to any network or the InterWeb,
  5. Once we are completely sure that the system is clean and protected, only then do we connect to the InterWeb,
  6. Updates to Antiviral or Malware products are performed,
  7. Once your protection software is up to snuff, I then begin applying any/all OS Service Packs, Updates and Patches,
  8. Now your system is safe and the OS is up to date. The next step is to confirm that all of your Hardware drivers are current. This is a crucial step in ensuring the system is stable and reliable,
  9. Your system is almost ready. Once again, Windows updates care checked and applied if necessary or according to industry Recommendations,
  10. The next step is to confirm that all your applications work accordingly,
  11. Next, I enter all the details of the work performed into my W.O.T.S. On-line system. This system retains complete details of everything ever done for this project. You will be registered in this system and can review and print all the details at your discretion,
  12. In addition to being registered with W.O.T.S., you may also enter Trouble Tickets about almost everything with regard to your system hardware or software,
  13. As part of my W.O.T.S. System, you will be scheduled for periodic Warranty Reviews and checkups. You will receive notifications of these events as well as notification of impeding Warranty Expirations,
  14. Final System review and recommendations to maintain a healthy PC.

Securing Access to Systems and Networks: Best Practices and Procedures

 

This page contains and explains the basic steps and procedures to help ensure the security of your wireless networks. This discussion is by no means complete and as detailed as one would like, but it should give you a fighting chance to keep the hackers and freeloaders out.

For more detailed information, use thePCdoctor Handy Contact Form or call thePCdoctor at (403) 835-8996