WE ARE LIVING in a digital world where virtually all transactions (either business or personal) are made in a digital format and it is fearfully processed and confirmed in real time.

Our information is transmitted in copper wires such as internet/telephone line or fiber optic, and so is vulnerable anytime, anywhere. Therefore, security measurements are the most important part of network management or it is rather to protect your private information.

In this issue, we are looking into the current technology that you can easily implement in order to protect your most valuable information.

Be sure that your choice of virus protection software includes these protection facilities. Once virus software is installed on your computer, you should start thinking about data security.

The initial step to data security starts with creating a backup of your files. These days, a large storage like a portable hard drive is available at a reasonable price and it is the simplest way to backup your files.

When it comes to data security, just backing up a copy of your files on your computer to a backup device is elementary. Software plays important roles in data security much more these days due to loss or theft of the backup device.

Two keywords you need to remember in data security are:

Encryption and Differential Backup.

Encryption of your backup files are an absolute necessity.

Differential Backup is an option that you may want to consider if you have a high volume of files.

Differential backup software backups only files modified or newly created from your last backup so that you do not copy entire files again.

The last section of security measurement is network security. All IP addresses including IP address you are getting from your Internet provider on your modem sitting in your room is public. It means anybody can gain access to your modem, however most Internet modems (ADSL modem) come with a basic firewall to protect intruders to your network.

However, as previously stated, the firewall of an internet modem is rock-bottom basic. Therefore, it is recommended to have firewall software installed on your computer.

So-called internet security software or internet firewall software such as ZoneAlarm is a good start to protect your computer from network hazards. Such software blocks unnecessary network ports and route opened (Operation System opens ranges of routes and ports as default setting for communications) for incoming and outgoing.

Being aware of your information risks is a good start to tighten your security. It is always better to be prepared thanregretting and wishing you did not prepare.

Although there is lots of free security software available, extra security software is as a necessary purchase.

The worth of your information is much more than one small purchase.