Network Security with OpenSSL. Simple but powerful Openssl is a command-line tool. It is a multipurpose tool. Which means it can do many jobs. It is for authentication, encryption, digital signatures, hashing, etc.
OpenSSL can also generate a Certificate Authority, which then generates certificates for the authority itself and all users of the CA.
OpenSSL also supports Diffie-Helman key exchange as well as RSA and DSA authentication.
Why OpenSSL?
OpenSSL has many security patches and modules available online. It is licensed under the Apache License 2.0 and has a huge community of developers. Several operating systems have it pre-installed. It is free to download and use it. It is secure, stable, flexible and easy to use. There are many secure servers using OpenSSL like Apache web server, BIND DNS server, OpenVPN and others.
What are the Network Security attacks?
There are many network security attacks. The most common ones are here below:
Man in the Middle (MITM):
This is a kind of attack in which the attacker intercepts and alters the communication between two parties who think that they are directly communicating with each other.
Session Hijacking
This is a kind of attack in which an attacker steals the session ID’s and takes control over the user’s session.
Denial-of-Service (DoS):
This is a kind of attack in which the attacker seeks to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users.
Spoofing
This is a kind of attack in which an unauthorized user assumes the identity of another user, either by impersonating them or by falsifying information so as to be accepted as them.
Phishing
This is a kind of social engineering attack that aims to steal sensitive information from its victims such as passwords, credit card details through emails, text messages, instant messages etc., etc., posing as trustworthy individuals or organizations. The spoofed message appears legitimate and persuading enough to induce users into clicking on malicious links and attachments sent in emails, texts, etc., etc., thereby compromising your system security.
Spamming
This involves delivering unsolicited bulk email messages, instant messages or other messaging systems with advertisements for profit without permission from recipients. It also includes spamming forums.
Network Security solutions
Network Security solutions involve the following:
Host security solutions: These solutions are to protect the hosts from being compromised by attacks. Firewalls Packet filters, stateful packet inspection and other firewalls.
DNS security solutions: These solutions are to secure the DNS servers. And prevent them from attacks by a DoS attack.
DNSSEC security solutions: These solutions are to secure the DNSSEC servers and prevent them from being attacked by a DoS attack.
Networking security solutions: These solutions are to secure the networks from intrusions and attacks.IPSec VPNs SSL VPNs, etc
Conclusion
We have seen the basics of Network Security. OpenSSL is a command-line tool that allows you to generate a certificate authority and generate certificates for the authority itself and all users of the CA. OpenSSL has many security patches and modules available online. It is licensed under the Apache License 2.0 and has a huge community of developers. Openssl is free to download.