Methods or Tools Used by Companies to Provide Security for the Internet

by Tricia Goss
Find the best ways to keep your system and your information safe.


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Your business' Internet network enables you to be more productive, connected and technologically updated, but it can also open the door to dangers, such as spammers, viruses and cybercriminals. Learning about best practices, policies and programs that are effective yet simple to employ can keep your company safe and proficient.


An effective firewall can regulate both what comes in and what goes out using your Internet connection. For instance, you can configure a firewall to prevent employees from sharing confidential information with anyone outside of your business network, regulate the types of websites accessible and put constraints on file sharing. In addition, a firewall can help thwart hackers and malicious software, such as viruses, spyware and keyloggers. Depending on how comprehensive you want the firewall to be, you may need an IT professional to set up and maintain it.

Proxy Servers

A proxy server acts as a go-between, essentially assessing requests made from your outgoing server to another server and vice versa. With a proxy server, you can create a blacklist that prohibits certain websites or even a whitelist so that employees can only access specified sites, preventing them from visiting dangerous or inappropriate websites or downloading potentially harmful software. In addition, a proxy helps keep hackers from gaining access to your business network.

Up-to-Date Software

Although it may sound simplistic, downloading software updates whenever they become available is one of the easiest and most effective ways that companies keep their networks secure. Operating system updates, such as those rolled out by Microsoft for Windows, often include patches to fix known security issues. Updating your antivirus and spyware programs can help prevent new threats from accessing your system via the Internet and provide ways to remove existing harmful software as well.

Antivirus and Similar Applications

Installing, updating and running software applications that protect against viruses, spyware and other types of malware is vital to keeping a company's Internet network secure. Malicious software can access computers and entire networks through the Internet if they're left unprotected. These programs can cause extensive damage to computer files, making important documents virtually unusable and even destroying connectivity files that enable a computer to access the Internet. Most companies either use multiple programs with unique capabilities or comprehensive applications that protect against an array of malware types.

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