Cybersecurity For Small Networks: A No-Nonsense Guide for the Reasonably Paranoid

This book provides a step-by-step guide to protecting household or small-business networks from cyber attacks using pfSense, including firewall, wireless, VPN, proxies, antivirus, backup, and monitoring.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: No Starch Press,US

This comprehensive guide is designed to provide readers with a step-by-step process to safeguard their household or small-business networks from cyber threats. It offers a series of easy-to-follow tutorials that cover various aspects of network security. By following these instructions, readers will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement robust security measures.

The guide begins by introducing the concept of network security and explaining the importance of protecting networks from unauthorized access and attacks. It then delves into the basics of pfSense, a powerful open-source firewall software that can be used to build a robust firewall. Readers will learn how to configure pfSense to block unauthorized incoming traffic, filter suspicious packets, and enforce security policies.

Next, the guide focuses on securing wireless networks. It explains how to set up encryption protocols, such as WPA2, to prevent unauthorized access to the network. Readers will also learn how to use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) to secure their wireless networks and prevent unauthorized access from nearby devices.

To enhance network security, the guide discusses the concept of network segmentation. It explains how to divide a network into separate protected zones, allowing only authorized users to access specific resources. Readers will learn how to configure VLANs (virtual LANs) and firewalls to achieve this segmentation.

Furthermore, the guide covers the configuration of a VPN (virtual private network) to hide and encrypt network traffic and communications. Readers will learn how to set up a VPN server on pfSense and connect their devices to it, ensuring that their online activities remain private and secure.

The guide also includes tips on setting up proxies to speed up network performance and hide the source of traffic. It explains how to configure pfSense to act as a proxy server, allowing users to access websites and services through it. This can be useful for bypassing network restrictions or improving security.

In addition to security measures, the guide covers essential aspects of network maintenance, such as installing and configuring an antivirus program. It explains how to choose the right antivirus software and how to configure it to protect against the latest threats. Readers will also learn how to back up their data securely and how to monitor their network for unauthorized activity and alert them to intrusion.

By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, readers will be able to enhance the security of their household or small-business networks. They will gain the confidence to protect their sensitive data and prevent cyber attacks from compromising their networks.

This comprehensive guide is an essential resource for anyone who wants to improve the security of their networks. Whether you are a novice user or an experienced IT professional, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard your networks from cyber threats.

Dimension: 235 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781718501485