Don’t Stoke the Flames – Build a Firewall

It's no secret that the Internet is full of dangerous activity. Too many people think their networks are safe without any kind of protection. We don't mean to say that the Internet isn't safe, but that it's only as safe as you make it for yourself. In order to keep your small business safe, you should implement protective software, like a firewall. A firewall can help keep your company safe from online threats, and believe us when we say that a little bit of protection goes a long way.

What Do They Do?
A firewall analyzes the data packets that flow in and out of a network, and acts as a security measure against anything that could damage your computer. Essentially, it's a barrier between your computer network and a threat that is deemed unsafe and insecure. In most cases, this network will likely be the Internet.

Firewalls come in a variety of strengths. They're able to investigate strange network traffic, validate connection and data packets, check that application data is real or not, and perform a cavity search on all messages flying in and out of a network. They're constantly being updated to combat the latest threats, but that doesn't make them invincible.

What Don't They Do?
The firewall might be able to stop some dangerous activity, but there are a lot of other things that firewalls don't stop. For those who want to take advantage of this protection, it's important to understand what firewalls can block and what they can't block. Malicious software such as viruses, spyware, adware, and phishing scams are able to walk straight through the flames and burn your computer. They also can't help you against infected email attachments and they don't block spam, which is both annoying and counterproductive.

So, What Can I Do?
One security solution that we can offer your company, as well as a strong firewall along with other powerful security tools, is a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution from SMART Services. Whereas most firewalls that come with a PC only offer meager protection for the computer it came installed upon, a UTM solution is a network tool that will provide your business with a secure firewall designed to protect every computer on your network.

UTMs come in different shapes and sizes depending on how many computers you have on your network and what the network traffic looks like. SMART Services can equip your business with a UTM that will fit your company's security needs, and we can even provide your business with a free network security audit to locate the holes in your current firewall. You can think of SMART Services like a firefighter for your technology, extinguishing the worst digital fires so that your business doesn't get burned!