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Network vulnerabilities constantly evolve and result in the loss of valuable data and revenue of the business. Even though such threats can find new weaknesses to act upon every day, some of their methods of attacking remains the same. Hackers have tried and tested methods to attack a network security through various tricks, devices and inside information.
Small businesses sometimes do not focus on their network security, as they might not fully understand how to guard their systems. Exploitable bugs and weaknesses are present everywhere within networks, but understanding how the hackers exploit such information could help secure your network security.
In this blog, you will read about the different types of vulnerabilities in network security. Let’s have a look!
3 Types of Network Security Vulnerabilities
Here is a list of different types of vulnerabilities attacking the network security of a business. While there are several types, we can classify these vulnerabilities into 3 broad categories:
1# Hardware Vulnerabilities
Any hardware device within a network could be prone to attack, so the IT department should be ware of any such potential dangers. For instance, routers which are a hardware equipment, needs to be upgraded often in order to fix the weaknesses.
- Physical Device Security
The easiest way to attack a network is by using a device containing a virus or malware directly on a machine that is connected to the system. This helps in transferring the malware onto the system and erupts all the files thereon. It will install spyware and can easily provide access to sensitive information and is an easy tactic for hackers to infect all files or steal data. It could be done through USB devices or code downloads or even through random links.
- Firewall Problems
The firewall helps in providing protection against unauthorized access and helps in blocking the blacklisted IP addresses from open ports. Sometimes firewall install unwanted services into the system that could be prone to attack. The IT department should make sure to remove such updates as it is a highly exploitable vulnerability. It also helps prevent SQL injection attempts, which is also another hacking technique.
- Unprotected Access
Using wi-fi is convenient and common in every business, but it is also one of the most dangerous vulnerability in network systems. It gives the users access beyond the firewalls if the network is not password protected, as it is accessible to any intruder. It is a risk for the business and the sensitive data. Try using strong passwords, which are not readily available to the public. This way you will stop credential stuffing attacks.
2# Software Security Vulnerabilities
Even if the network is highly sophisticated, there are still risks involved in the operating systems and applications. Every software contains an exploitable flaw, and the IT professionals must be aware of every software application in order to fix those mends.
- Unmanaged Software
Sometimes employees add software to the system without getting proper approval from the IT professionals. It can be a risk as the software might contain Trojan horse or a virus or a malware which could lead to high network vulnerabilities. Unmanaged software could be a solution to making work easier for employees, but using it unauthorized could be against the security policies of the management.
- Configuration
Configurations is also a threat to the system as it could lead to unauthorized access to the system and could cause a security breach. Web applications include default setting, including passwords which are designed to make the application setup easier for the user. But it could be a network vulnerability as it could be easily guessed, so the security professionals should make sure to change those into roust passwords to restrict access. Virtual Private Networks are also a major part of businesses and should be correctly configured to reduce risk.
- Outdated Software
If your business continues to use an outdated software, your network is prone to vulnerabilities. In order to prevent this, remember to install the latest updates of the software and also to perform a vulnerability scan and penetration test to make sure doubly. As content management uses several plug-ins and add-ons from the internet, it could affect the system with bugs, so make sure to update or entirely remove them after use.
3# User Vulnerabilities
Even after all the efforts to protect the systems, you need man power to manage them and humans make mistakes. Whether you use weak passwords, or forget to update a software or don’t understand a security policy, it could all be risks to the network security.
- Deception of Users
People often fall prey to scams such as emails, phone calls or fake websites. The external party might contain malicious web application or other threats through emails or websites or simply, clicking on an unknown link. Employees do not have to be disgruntles to become a network vulnerability. They can often risk the security of the company by clicking on files which are not approved or might read confidential, and verify intruders in disguise. Proper security policies and IT professionals educating the employees can help restrict such action.
- Authentication and Authorization
Easy and weak passwords are simply to guess and if the important data of the business does not meet the requirements of creating a strong password, it is prone to network threats. For a strong security of the network system, use password generators to produce a unique user code which are hard to decipher. Secure password managers can help employees recall the unique code when required. It also helps to include multi-factor authorization in your web security. If there is a second form of approval required such as text or OTP, the password theft drops significantly.
The Bottom Line
Protecting your network system from these different types of vulnerabilities is not impossible. You can make this possible by using strong passwords, unique codes, protected wireless access, and by following all security policies drafted by the IT professionals.
Such defense against the network vulnerabilities can help save your data from hackers and any unauthorized third parties. Hope this article helped you understand different types of vulnerabilities to network security!
