EXPERT RESPONSE
Most importantly, ensure that you're properly configuring both your network and software firewalls to only pass traffic that is explicitly required for business purposes. Such restrictions will resolve 99% of the port scanning activity directed at your network, blocking most attempts before they ever reach your systems. That said, a firewall alone won't completely protect you against port-scanning activity. The attacker will be able to detect ports that you've intentionally exposed to the Internet, and these can provide valuable reconnaissance information for a future attack.
The best line of defense against port scanning threats is a good intrusion prevention system (IPS). Many commercial firewalls -- both hardware and software -- come with the technology, either built-in or available as an optional feature. Alternatively, you may purchase and install a dedicated IPS to protect your network against attack. These systems monitor your network for potentially malicious traffic and block it before the traffic reaches the internal network. In a port-scanning scenario, the IPS recognizes that a particular source address is scanning your network. The intrusion prevention system then blocks that system's access and does so for a specified period of time.
More information:
Use Nmap to review your open ports.
A readers asks Mike Chapple, "What is a 'top-down' IPS sensor search?"
|
