Password protection vital for dedicated servers

Tue, 03 Nov 2009

Small firms which use dedicated servers to support their IT systems should ensure they are aware of all potential security concerns, it has been claimed.

According to THN, one of the first things a company should do after purchasing a dedicated server – which are primarily used to support websites expecting a high level of traffic - is change the default password.

The firm says the access code is a key component in security for any server and firms must know precisely who is able to access the system.

Since the host firm may have set a default or emailed it to the customer in plain text, it is possible that individuals working outside the user company could hack in.

THN commented: "Because there is a risk that someone else knows the password, it is essential that it is changed immediately."

Different access codes should be used for personal and administrative accounts, the site claimed, while all passwords should contain a combination of letters and numbers to make them difficult to guess.

Finally, it advises that the access code should be changed at regular intervals.

Last month, William Beer, a director at professional service firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, claimed that firms cannot afford to reduce their security spend.

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