Is Your Network Security at Risk? 7 Signs and Symptoms

What if you could find out if your network security was at risk without having to call in a cybersecurity team? What if you knew before it was too late?

It’s possible. There are a lot of early warning signs of network security risks that you can watch out for. By being observant, you could avoid potential threats and thwart hackers before they can infiltrate your system.

Read on to learn the signs and symptoms if you’re network infrastructure has been compromised.

1. Unusual Network Activity

Unusual network activity is one of the most significant signs that your network security may be at risk. Keep an eye on network traffic patterns. Check bandwidth usage to identify any anomalies.

For example, if you notice a sudden increase in traffic during off-hours, it could be a sign that someone is attempting to access your network. If you see large amounts of data being transmitted from your network to an unknown destination, it could indicate a data breach.

Monitoring your network activity can help you identify any unusual behavior. You can then take steps to prevent any potential security breaches.

Implement network security solutions such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation. It can help protect your network from suspicious activity.

2. Slow Network Performance

Slow network performance can be a symptom of compromised network security. It could mean that someone is using up your bandwidth. It can be a sign of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack or a worm eating up your bandwidth.

Slow network performance can also be caused by malware or viruses. They are consuming system resources.

Malware can also affect the network’s performance by creating many connections to external servers. This reduces available bandwidth.

If your network performance is slow, it’s essential to investigate the cause. Identify any potential security threats.

3. Missing or Deleted Files

Missing or deleted files can significantly indicate a network security risk. Malware or hackers may delete files as part of an attack. If the files contain sensitive information, it could result in significant data loss or even a data breach.

It’s essential to regularly back up your data to cut the impact of a security breach. This will enable you to restore lost files quickly. Also, implementing access controls and monitoring user activity can help prevent unauthorized file access and deletion.

Also, regularly scan your network for malware and viruses that could potentially delete files. If you notice missing or deleted files, investigate the cause. Determine if it results from a security breach.

Identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities can help prevent future data loss and protect your network security.

4. Unauthorized Access

Unauthorized access is a significant security risk that can lead to data breaches. It can be a theft of sensitive information which can result in financial loss.

Hackers and cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to your network by exploiting security vulnerabilities. These are usually weak passwords, outdated software, or unsecured wireless networks.

Unauthorized access can also occur through social engineering techniques. An example is phishing scams, where attackers trick users into revealing their login credentials. Implementing a multifactor authentication, can help prevent unauthorized access to your network.

It’s also essential to monitor user activity. This is to identify any suspicious behavior or unauthorized access attempts. Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments to help protect your network.

If you suspect unauthorized access to your network, you should immediately seek professional help from Weaver Technologies.

5. Pop-Ups and Spam

Pop-ups and spam can be a sign of compromised network security. Malware or adware can cause unwanted pop-ups and spam messages. It can expose your network to cybersecurity threats.

Pop-ups and spam messages can be used to trick users into clicking on malicious links. It can also mislead you into downloading malware, or revealing personal information.

To protect against pop-ups and spam, you must put in place security measures such as anti-spam filters and ad-blockers. It’s also important to train users to identify and avoid phishing scams.

Other social engineering techniques can be used to deliver spam messages. Updating software and implementing security patches can also help prevent vulnerabilities.

6. Suspicious Emails

Suspicious emails can be a sign of a network security risk. Phishing emails are a common method used to access sensitive information. It also delivers malware to a network.

These emails often contain links to malicious websites or attachments that contain malware. If users click on these links or download the attachments, it can compromise the network’s security.

To protect against suspicious emails, it’s essential to install security measures. Some of these are spam filters and email authentication protocols such as DMARC, SPF, and DKIM. It’s also important to train users to identify and avoid suspicious emails.

Look for signs of phishing, like misspellings, urgent requests for personal information, and unfamiliar sender addresses. Conduct security awareness training.

This will ensure that users are equipped to identify and respond to suspicious emails. This will also reduce the risk of a successful attack.

7. Outdated Software

Outdated software is a significant security risk that can leave a network vulnerable to cyber attacks. Older software may contain security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. They can use it to gain unauthorized access to a network or steal sensitive information.

You should update software and install security patches to address these vulnerabilities. This is to protect against potential attacks.

Consider replacing outdated software with newer versions with better security features. Implementing network segmentation can also help reduce the risk of a security breach. It limits the impact of any potential attack.

Regularly conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify and address any security weaknesses. It can ensure that software is up-to-date and secure.

Protect and Strengthen Your Network Security Today

From an outdated router to a weakened password, the signs of a potential network security risk are all too real. Become aware of the risks and take steps to protect your online safety and customer data. Invest in a commercial firewall and update software to safeguard against future threats.

Consider seeking help from professionals specializing in network security. Whatever you do, don’t leave your personal and private data at risk–take action now!

For more tips and tricks, please browse through our other blog posts.