Network Security & Cryptography

Abstract

Network security can be described as the effort to create a secure computing platform, designed so that agents (users or programs) cannot perform actions that they are not allowed to perform, but can perform the actions that they are allowed to. Network Security systems insure the integrity of the system by protecting from hackers trying to get into the system and by restricting access within the system to individuals specific needs.

We have dealt with one of the Basic Network Security Tools the Firewalls. It is a combination of hardware and software that secures access to a local network or computer. A firewall guards the local network by analyzing the data leaving and entering, allowing authorized traffic through while keeping unauthorized traffic out.

Firewalls are typically configurable by network administrators so that they can set

policy to determine what traffic is deemed safe. A firewall is simply a program or hardware device that filters the information coming through the Internet connection into your private network or computer system. Firewalls use one or more of three methods to control traffic flowing in and out of the network: packet filtering, proxy service, and stateful inspection.

Firewalls are customizable (add or remove filters) through IP address, protocols, domain services etc. They protect the network from SMTP session hijacking, denial of service, spam, viruses, e-mail bombs etc. A function that is often combined with a firewall is a proxy server. The proxy server is used to access Web pages by the other computers.

Hence we conclude that Network Security has become a mandatory thing for every network to such an extent that we can’t imagine a world without it in future.

 

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