How To Maintain Security Among Routers

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Cisco is the leader in routing and switching devices, but they aren't without their problems. Routers need to be secured with several different configurations so as to best ensure a network is not vulnerable to outside attack. How to configure the Cisco router becomes the task, and with what commands is the problem.

There are a total of five different commands that can be used in regards to the different passwords that can be secured. The first to review is the command "Enable password." This command is an outdated form, although it is still in use among older routers and with those who haven't upgraded their IOS. Enable password in particular is flawed because it uses no encryption to store the password in question.

An updated version of the previous command is "Enable secret," which Cisco released for using encryption on the passwords. The difference can be seen in the running configuration of the router, most notably where the password is now stored in random letters and numbers instead of showing the actual password. This is an important step in securing a router against prying eyes.

For anyone running an IOS version below 10.3, the enable secret command will not be available. Thus, it is extremely important that all Cisco router users update to the latest IOS if it hasn't been done so already. By default, newer IOS versions will use enable secret over enable password- which is obviously the better choice in the matter.

Much of the benefit from the enable secret command comes from protecting the running configuration from prying eyes. And as far as computer networking security goes, even the smallest bit of help in security goes a long way in network stability. And when companies and businesses depend on network stability for a source of income, lacking it could run a business and its services into the ground.

In Conclusion

Network security is a big industry. Regardless of the thousands of dollars businesses use to propel their business, the smallest of commands such as enable secret and enable password will do a world of good for the network as a whole. Be sure to read more on the subject in Cisco documentation and online networking resources to get the full effect on how to use, maintain, and prepare Cisco routers for security topics.

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