Do you want to know the secret life of secure web gateway (SWG)? Do you want to know how you can take advantage of this tool? Then, read on.
The Secret Life of Secure Web Gateway
To begin, an SWG refers to a network device that is located between the corporate network and the Internet. This device acts as a shield and protects the network from malicious attacks. The typical functions of an SWG are to inspect, enforce and modify data between the public and private networks.
The three main components of an SWG are:
1. Firewall
2. VPN gateway
3. IPS (Intrusion Prevention System)
Further, SWGs connect to the Internet via a high-speed link that does not allow unauthorized access to an internal network. The connection is protected by several tools. For example, packet filtering, packet inspection, and even stateful firewall inspection.
Packet filtering is used to examine the content of a packet based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols. Then, packet inspection refers to analyzing layer 4 to layer 7 protocols contained in packets. An SWG inspects all traffic between the internal network and the Internet. This device can be used to stop illegal activities such as spamming, denial of service (DoS), viruses/worms/trojans, etc.
However, it is not only used for security purposes but also load balancing and intrusion protection. Also, this ensures that no hacker can intercept these details as they will be encrypted. This also ensures that hackers cannot interrupt internet communication by blocking communication channels between you and the e-commerce site.
Hence, preventing them from stealing your valuable information such as credit card details, bank account number, and more. How, then, can you take advantage of this tool?
Taking Advantage of Secure Web Gateway
To take advantage of SWG, you must first check the performance of the device you have. After doing so, you should check for any intrusion activities. You should also check from time to time whether you are connected to an SSL secure connection.
In addition, you must keep an eye on the log files regularly. Various companies provide free software to check the logs. You can use this tool to see whether there have been any hacking attempts.
Moreover, you can also use this software to scan your systems for viruses and worms. You should regularly check the log files to ensure that no hacker has been trying to get information about your system.
Furthermore, you can also check whether any malware has been installed on the system. You should also scan the system regularly to ensure that there has not been any damage. You should also check the settings of your SWG to ensure that it is set to high-security settings.
Hence, even if you have an SWG in place, it is important to make sure that it is configured properly. This is to avoid cyber threats and prevent hackers from accessing your confidential data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to be aware of cyber threats and maintain a safe online environment at all times. So, every company needs to make sure that their SWGs are working well and protecting their valuable information.