5 Tips for Keeping Your VPN Service Safe
In corporate networks, remote access is typically granted to trusted employees and key customers. Access to the company network is possible via a VPN service, for example. Maintaining a secure network, including virtual private networks, is a challenging task. Every remote and uncontrolled computer creates a potential vulnerability for Internet attacks. Here are five security tips for VPN software users. Use complex passwords.
Unless strong authentication methods such as cryptographic smart cards or tokens are used, a static password can be easily guessed or stolen. eBay has lost hundreds of user accounts because someone guessed trivial passwords. Block a trivial set of words and numbers (like “admin1234”) that are easy to remember but pose a serious threat to network security.
Check if your VPN software allows to use whole sentences as a password; If so, find a way to encourage users to use them – they can be stolen, but they’re almost impossible to guess.If your VPN user authentication is password-based, never use the same password for email, as most email programs store passwords and pull them from the registry – exploiting them is easy even for a novice hacker.
Protects users from viruses and trojans. Enforce the use of antivirus programs and personal firewalls on client computers connecting to the VPN. If you are connected to the network via a VPN, even one infected computer can infect all the others. Do not grant unprotected computers full access.