Computer And Network Services

PORTS and Protocols

 

• Port Scans: Every computer uses PORTS to communicate with each other. This includes web site servers, virus update programs and a host of other services and applications. thePCdoctor, will scan your computer and network routers to ensure that only those ports you need are open. Out of the Box routers that you buy from your local computer store, have almost every port open. Attackers know this and will easily exploit them. Let thePCdoctor scan your environment and help you to lock it down.

 

• Vulnerability Scan: This is not the same as a PORT scan. This scan is very intensive and is designed to identify the following details:
• Service Pack audit and report. Many times a hot fix or update is installed. However, they may cause an issue elsewhere in your system. These can be fixed by identifying them with our scans,
• Device Audits: What devices are installed and which ones present possible risks. Most people don’t realize that s device like a DVD device can cause a security risk. Take it from thePCdoctor, they do and they are not the only devices that can. You need to know this and protect yourself accordingly,
• Computer Details: Physical Memory usages (Deltas), Virtual Memory usage and a host of other details. The purpose here is to identify the performance (or lack of) in your system. Not just performance, our scans will help to identify which processes are running and can cause potential security risks,
• Motherboard Details: Bios version, Manufacturer and other specific details,
• Storage Vulnerabilities. Open Network shared resources, account weaknesses, password and related security policies. This is a HUGE area of concern. In almost every out of the box system we have seen over the years, the Administrator (or similar) account is wide open. This is one of the main areas of attack,
• Computer Network Details: MAC Addresses, OS Serial Number, Services and other related holes,
• Application holes and weaknesses. Many system applications (that require System Services) open ports and security holes. Let our scans find these and help plug them,
• Advanced BUILT IN AND FREE network configuration settings can help lock down your system. These little known tricks can dramatically help secure your system,
• Detailed and Summary Reports, Charts and Graphs to help you to better understand the results.
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To Schedule a Security Review or Security Scan, Use the Handy thePCdoctor Contact Form

Security and Vulnerability : Network Ports, Protocols and Security Scans

A Port is an access or entry portal. As a parallel, your street address is like an Internet Address. Once you know the Internet Address of a computer (Your Street Address), then all we have to do is figure out how to Connect to a Computer (Enter your House). So, a Door or Window on your House is like a Port on a Computer (or router/firewall).

 

So what we want to do, is to close the Window or Door OR lock them. The same applies to a computer, if the port(s) are closed, then it is less likely for a hacker or attacker to enter your systems.

 

Vulnerability Scans: Using our Home address as the example of choice, let’s follow this a little further. To ensure that your windows and/or doors are secure, you physically walk around and test the door or window to see if is open. Making the assumption that you believe it to be locked, one should not be able to enter. Of course, it one has the key (or entry code), then one can enter as permitted.

 

So a Vulnerability Scan performs the same process as a physical walk around. We simply use software to scan for Open Ports, if we see one (or more) we decide if we want to allow one to use that port to enter our computer (or router etc).

 

Now Vulnerability scans are not limited to Ports, in fact, a good vulnerability scan will scan for Software issues (called Hooks), missing Patches or Service packs and upgrades.

 

Additionally, network shares (such as share folders, printers and other devices) are checked. Believe it or not, if one is sharing a printer on the Internet, hackers or would-be attackers can compromise your system quite easily. So Vulnerability scans check for these issues as well.

 

Continuing one, other programs such as MSN or P2P programs cause all kinds of security risks. They should be checked for and addressed as necessary.

 

Did you know, that on most Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 system have Internet Connection and Sharing enabled by Default? Imagine the security risks here.

 

All kidding aside, if you do Nothing else, do have a Vulnerability Scan Performed. It is absolutely essential and critical in your defence against hackers and attacks.