Ways to Improve Network Security for Free
Ensuring adequate network security has become essential, not only for big businesses, but for small and medium-sized businesses. Although the most effective way to ensure optimal network security is to employ a dedicated professional network security team and use the latest network protection software, there are free but effective ways to boost your network security. How can you enhance your network security for free?
Fully utilize the built-in security features
Almost all operating systems as well as software come with powerful built-in security features. Many modern operating systems also offer built-in encryption features. You can explore and use these built-in safety features to the maximum to significantly improve your network security at no additional cost. Additionally, use complex and long passwords for all of your user accounts. Relying on simple one-word passwords makes your network vulnerable to hackers.
Administrative privileges should be highly restricted on the network and must be given only to the few key employees who truly require them.
Remove Local Administrative Rights on Client Computers
Requiring a password to install anything may be irritating, but it also is a great way to prevent malicious programs from automatically installing while browsing the internet or accidentally clicking on a bad email.
Install free security software
Many popular powerful security tools also have stripped-down versions that offer many of the key functionalities of the paid versions at no cost. Similarly, many free and malware detection tools can regularly scan your system for malware and even repair the systems in case of infection.
While these programs are free, they are not great. They are sometimes better than nothing.
Timely install software updates
As new security vulnerabilities are discovered in software and network protocols on a regular basis, software manufacturers also regularly issue updates or patches for their applications to defeat these newly discovered security threats and malware. Timely installing the latest software and operating system updates safeguards your systems against the latest discovered security threats. You can choose to either install the updates or patches manually or enable automatic update download and installation for effortless update installation for your operating systems and installed applications.
