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| HP provides a holistic approach that helps you understand security and its importance to your business, and identify and safeguard against all points of attack. |
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IT security is now a major concern for all businesses. The days when you could deploy PCs or a new server without having to first consider anti-virus software, firewall protection and access controls have long gone. Without these measures, networks and data are vulnerable to many threats.
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Before you can begin securing your business, you need a basic understanding of the threats that exist in the electronic world. The major categories of security risk are:
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Malicious software
This includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other nasty items. On average, one in every 100 emails contains a virus, and attacks have nearly doubled in the past 3 years. |
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Viruses
These can be downloaded onto your PC or network while using the Internet. While some are harmless, many are programmed to destroy files and systems, and disable software applications. |
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Worm
Unlike typical viruses, worms are self-contained and don’t need another program to propagate themselves. They are often designed to exploit the file transmission capabilities found on many PCs. |
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Spyware
Hidden in otherwise harmless programs, spyware permits unauthorised access to PCs, allowing outside users to read data, and even control the computer and collect information about you and your behaviour. It can also bombard your PC with unwanted advertising from the Web. |
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Trojan horse
Trojans hide behind legitimate programs waiting for the time or circumstances in which to release themselves – and whatever viruses or worms they may contain. |
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Unauthorised access
This can involve access to your corporate records by outsiders, and also insiders who exceed their authorised privileges (e.g., someone in the accounting department accessing personnel department records without good reason). |
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Hacker attacks or intrusions
Malicious individuals use a variety of tools to identify the weak points in networks and gain access. Once in, they can take control of the network, perhaps seeking to prove their abilities, store small amounts of files or, in many cases, compromise data or accounting records. |
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Spam
Unsolicited bulk email is everywhere. Some messages contain viruses as attachments. Others may prompt employees to perform actions that might reveal confidential company information, or fall victim to fraud. |
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User error
However innocent and unintended, errors on the part of your users can potentially compromise the security of your organisation. |
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Outdated security
Without a system in place to ensure regular updates to your security strategy and identify new vulnerabilities, you can quickly become at risk from the latest and most sophisticated threats. |
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With threats becoming more sophisticated and diverse, security should be included from the start, not considered as a later add-on. To help you protect multiple points of vulnerability, HP has developed a layered approach to security that helps you implement defence as a business strategy. Each layer focuses on a different area of security within your business. |
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"IT security in small businesses is often purchased only after a security breach. But any SMB that uses PCs to store information on customers, suppliers or prospects should be seriously considering implementing a security solution before any breach can occur.
“Not only are security breaches costly in terms of reduced productivity and increased support costs, compliance is also an issue. The EU data protection directive places a direct burden on both individuals and company officers to implement state of the art security mechanisms to protect personal data from unauthorised publication." Andy Buss, Senior Research Analyst, Canalys |
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