Networking All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 2

Security 101

In This Chapter

Assessing the risk for security

Determining your basic security philosophy

Physically securing your network equipment

Figuring out user account security

Using other network security techniques

If you’re not on a network, computer security is easy. You simply lock your door when you leave work for the day and rest easy, secure in the knowledge that the bad guys have to break down the door to get to your computer.

A network changes all that. Now, anyone with access to any computer on the network can break into the network and steal your files. Not only do you have to lock your door, but you also have to make sure that other people lock their doors, too.

Fortunately, network operating systems (NOSs) have built-in provisions for network security, making it difficult for people to steal your files, even if they do break down the door. All modern NOSs have security features that are more than adequate for all but the most paranoid users.

And when ...