As businesses rely more and more on computer systems and technology, these systems must be protected from harm. Network security encompasses both hardware and software solutions that keep your data out of harm's way.

Some network security deals with intrusion, like firewalls, which keep hackers out of your internal computer systems by blocking data access from unauthorized sources and protects your systems from network-based attacks, which could cause your server to become so busy dealing with the attack that it stops responding to normal system requests.

Firewalls also offer different levels of protection and come in different configurations.

Hardware-based firewalls, or firewall appliances, are devices that reside on your network, between your internal network and the "outside world". Firewall appliances usually contain special components, specifically designed to handle firewall tasks, which allow faster throughput of data when compared to software-based firewalls. Also, since these components are specifically designed for a certain application, they may not be upgradeable to handle new blocking techniques.

A software-based firewall has the benefit of a lower product cost, upgradeability and more flexibility, but with a performance cost and higher security risk, since the firewall is only as secure as the operating system it runs on.

Virus protection is an integral part of network security. Anti-virus software helps to protect your data and systems by blocking and removing harmful applications that can be introduced to the network over email, from a user downloading a file, or even using an infected disk on a company system. McAfee TVD provides a strong solution for anti-virus defense.

Spam is another problem for companies. Users waste a large amount of company time just filtering through their email every day deleting the latest Viagra offers, instead of answering important business correspondence. Anti-spam filters protect your network by filtering out these emails before they reach a user's email box. McAfee SpamKiller has the ability to catch these emails before they enter your mailbox and separate them from your good email.

Wireless security is also another important component of network security which is constantly overlooked. Most wireless devices, by default, have security capabilities disabled. If wireless security is disabled, anyone with a wireless device can gain access to your network if they are within range of your wireless access point(s). The most popular form of wireless networking is over radio frequency. Since radio waves can pass through walls, a user may not need to be inside your company's building in order to access the network. When properly secured, wireless networks can be a great advantage to mobile users and offer "piece of mind" for the entire company.