Tips For Security In Cisco Routers

by: ZacharySchuessler
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Getting the most out of router security is important for securing one's network. It helps keep a networking running smoothly and without problem. Computer network technicians will do good to remember two commands in particular: enable secret and enable password.

The outdated version of the password protection routines is the enable password command. Enable password puts a password on the privileged mode of the Cisco router, although there are some large flaws with this command. First and foremost, the command is stored as clear text, which is a phrase that describes a password stored without encryption.

A computer network is best secured on the router side of things with encryption. Cisco realized this, and released the "Enable Secret" command in an IOS update. Enable secret allows network administrators to get their network using encryption and running great without fear of hackers finding the password out and causing a world of hurt on the computer network in question.

Gaining access to a Cisco router's running configuration is easy. Use the running configuration command to bring up the currently stored settings of the router. If both enable password and enable secret were used, administrators can see that enable password is readable for all to see! The enable secret password that comes after it is unreadable, as it is stored as an MD5 encrypted text.

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.

Closing Comments

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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