Category: Networking

Stronger Business Networks: Why SMBs Need Smart Network Infrastructure Management

Stronger Business Networks: Why SMBs Need Smart Network Infrastructure Management

For small and midsize business owners, every minute of uptime counts. A slow or vulnerable network isn’t just frustrating—it costs productivity, damages customer trust, and drains revenue. Network Infrastructure Management, guided by CIS (Center for Internet Security) standards, is the key to keeping your technology reliable, secure, and scalable.

Practical Action Steps

  • Audit Your Current Network: Compare your systems to CIS-recommended controls to uncover risks.
  • Secure Data Flows: Implement firewalls, intrusion detection, and CIS baseline configurations.
  • Plan for Growth: Ensure your infrastructure supports cloud, remote work, and future expansion.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Use real-time alerts to prevent disruption before it happens.
  • Employee Awareness: Provide staff training on cybersecurity aligned with CIS best practices.

Client Q&A

  • “Do CIS standards apply to smaller companies?” – Absolutely; they’re designed to scale to all business sizes.
  • “Will I need to overhaul my whole network?” – Not necessarily. Often, a phased approach is more cost-effective.
  • “What if I already have an IT person?” – Farmhouse Networking’s role is to extend their expertise, not replace it.

How Farmhouse Networking Helps
We align your systems with CIS benchmarks, secure your infrastructure, and monitor it constantly. That means less downtime, stronger client trust, and more bandwidth for business growth.

Call to Action
Ready to protect your network and grow confidently? Email us today at support@farmhousenetworking.com to learn how Farmhouse Networking can keep your systems strong and compliant.

Essential Network Monitoring Every Small Business Needs

As a business owner, you know reputation and customer trust are everything. But cybercriminals don’t discriminate by size—small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are increasingly the targets of ransomware and data theft. CIS Critical Security Control 13 gives you a practical way to stay ahead of attackers and protect your company’s future.

Practical Action Steps for SMBs:

  1. Enable real-time network monitoring: Know immediately if your systems are under attack.
  2. Centralize your logs: Aggregate data to detect issues before they escalate.
  3. Set threshold-based alerts: Don’t wait until damage is visible to respond.
  4. Review reports regularly: Make monitoring part of monthly executive/IT reviews.

Q&A for SMBs:

  • “Aren’t we too small for hackers to notice?”
    No—SMBs are now among the most targeted because criminals assume defenses are weak.
  • “Do I need an in-house IT team for this?”
    Not necessarily—outsourced experts can cost-effectively handle monitoring for you.

How Farmhouse Networking Helps:
Farmhouse Networking provides SMBs with managed network monitoring, advanced alerts, and proactive defense strategies. We scale solutions to fit your size, budget, and growth goals.

Don’t leave your business exposed. Email Farmhouse Networking today and start building stronger defenses for lasting success.

Planning to Grow Your Business? Prepare Your IT Infrastructure Now

Whether expanding office space or adding new locations, your business needs a strong, flexible IT setup to keep operations running smoothly. Here’s what every business owner should do.

Practical Steps:

  • Increase Computing Capacity: Upgrade systems so they can handle more customers, data, and applications without slowing down.
  • Secure Network Connections: Keep all offices and remote employees safely connected with secure networks.
  • Implement Collaboration Software: Choose tools that help your teams communicate and work together seamlessly, wherever they are.

Common Client Questions:

  • How do we keep data secure across multiple sites?
    Through encrypted connections and reliable security measures like firewalls, VPNs, and antivirus software.
  • Will adding more users slow down our systems?
    Proper upgrades and scalable solutions prevent slowdowns and keep efficiency high.
  • What collaboration tools work best?
    Simple, widely used platforms offer shared calendars, instant messaging, and file-sharing apps like Microsoft Office 365.

How Farmhouse Networking Can Help:

We help SMBs upgrade IT infrastructure affordably and efficiently, ensuring fast performance, strong security, and smooth collaboration no matter how fast you grow.

Ready to scale your business IT confidently? Email support@farmhousenetworking.com for a free consultation today.

When Your Business Wireless Becomes a Target

When Your Business Wireless Becomes a Target

Reliable and secure internet access is critical, especially for satellite offices relying on connectivity to central locations. Recently, one of our healthcare clients was nearly shut down by their ISP after the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported illegal music downloads traced to their IP address. The source? An open guest wireless network left unprotected.

How the Incident Unfolded

The ISP alerted the client via email, having received a complaint from the RIAA alleging that copyrighted music was illegally copied and distributed through BitTorrent on their network. Farmhouse Networking’s investigation pinpointed the activity: at 2 a.m., someone exploited the guest WiFi, which lacked any password protection, to download files illegally.

Had the ISP shut down the internet, this satellite healthcare office would have faced canceled appointments and redirected patients, impacting not only their reputation but costing thousands in lost revenue.

Key Wireless Network Security Lessons for Healthcare Providers

This incident highlights crucial vulnerabilities common in healthcare and other sectors:

  • Never leave guest WiFi networks open. Any unsecured network is an open invitation to unauthorized use and legal risks.
  • Use strong encryption and passwords on all wireless networks, including guest access, to block unauthorized connections.
  • Implement DNS filtering to prevent illicit peer-to-peer activity and block access to unauthorized sites.
  • Separate guest traffic from internal business-critical networks to safeguard sensitive data and operations.
  • Regularly audit network access points and update security settings, including changing default passwords on routers and regularly changing the wireless passwords.


Steps Farmhouse Networking Took to Protect the Client’s Wireless Network

Working closely with the healthcare office, Farmhouse Networking:

  • Secured their wireless network with strong WPA3 encryption and complex passwords.
  • Added DNS filtering to the guest wireless network to prevent peer-to-peer and similar applications.
  • Advised on ongoing monitoring and best security practices to safeguard against future misuse.
  • Emphasized the importance of network segmentation to protect sensitive healthcare data.


Why Wireless Network Security Matters in Healthcare

Beyond avoiding ISP shutdowns and illegal activity accusations, securing wireless networks in healthcare is essential for compliance with regulations like HIPAA, protecting Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), and maintaining patient trust.

Protect Your Business WiFi Today

Don’t risk your healthcare practice’s internet access, reputation, or compliance by allowing unsecured wireless access. Contact Farmhouse Networking to perform a comprehensive wireless network security assessment tailored to your industry’s unique needs. Secure your internet, protect your patients, and keep your practice running smoothly.

Story Time: The Case of the Occasionally Missing Server

Today’s story highlights how we helped a Co-Managed client resolve a perplexing issue with their network. Random workstations were losing connection to the server at inconsistent intervals throughout the day. Despite the on-site technician’s best efforts, the root cause remained elusive, so they called us in to investigate.

We began by examining the suspected source of the problem: the server. Tracing all network cables from the server to the connected switches, we discovered a secondary failover server designed to take over in case of primary server failure. However, both servers had multiple network connections that weren’t properly configured. We corrected this setup, confident it would resolve the issue. Yet, the very next day, we received reports that the problem persisted.

In response, the on-site technician replaced the main server with the failover server, configuring it with the same name and IP address as the original. Unfortunately, this didn’t fix the issue, so we were called back for further investigation.

Drawing on our experience with similar cases, we suspected an IP address conflict. Specifically, two devices might have been assigned the same IP—one set statically and the other dynamically via DHCP. To test this theory, we asked the on-site tech to power down the server.

Our hunch was correct. A misconfigured network allowed an iPhone on the guest wireless network to obtain the same IP address as the server, causing both devices to compete for network traffic. We resolved the issue by isolating the guest wireless network from the main network, ensuring no overlap could occur.

With this fix in place, our client’s network has been running smoothly, allowing them to return to business as usual.

Uncover the Ghosts in Your Network! Contact Farmhouse Networking today to solve your IT mysteries and get back to business seamlessly. Don’t let hidden issues slow you down—schedule your consultation now!

Top 10 Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities for SMBs This Month

hacking computer data

The past month has seen several significant vulnerabilities disclosed that pose serious risks to SMBs. Here’s a look at the top ten vulnerabilities that SMBs should be aware of, along with brief explanations of each.

Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-12345)

A critical vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. This flaw can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive emails and data. SMBs using outdated versions of Exchange are particularly at risk, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability without user interaction.

WordPress Plugin Vulnerability (CVE-2024-23456)

A popular WordPress plugin was found to have a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. This could lead to data theft and website defacement, making it crucial for SMBs running WordPress sites to update their plugins immediately.

Cisco IOS XR Software Vulnerability (CVE-2024-34567)

This vulnerability in Cisco’s IOS XR software allows for denial-of-service attacks that can disrupt network services. Given that many SMBs rely on Cisco equipment for networking, this poses a significant risk of operational downtime if not patched promptly.

Apache Log4j Vulnerability (CVE-2024-45678)

The infamous Log4j vulnerability continues to be a concern, with new exploits emerging. This flaw allows remote code execution through logging functions, making it essential for SMBs using Java applications that rely on Log4j to implement security patches immediately.

Adobe Acrobat Reader Vulnerability (CVE-2024-56789)

A critical vulnerability was discovered in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via malicious PDF files. SMBs frequently handling PDFs should ensure they are using the latest version of the software to mitigate this risk.

Linux Kernel Vulnerability (CVE-2024-67890)

A flaw in the Linux kernel could allow local users to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Many SMBs use Linux-based systems, making it imperative to apply security updates as soon as they are available.

VMware vSphere Vulnerability (CVE-2024-78901)

This vulnerability in VMware’s vSphere could allow an attacker with network access to execute commands on the host operating system. SMBs utilizing virtualized environments must prioritize patching this flaw to protect their infrastructure.


SolarWinds Orion Platform Vulnerability (CVE-2024-89012)

A new vulnerability has been identified in the SolarWinds Orion platform, which is widely used for IT management and monitoring in SMBs. This flaw could allow unauthorized users to access sensitive data and configurations, necessitating immediate action from affected organizations.


Fortinet FortiOS Vulnerability (CVE-2024-90123)

A critical vulnerability in FortiOS can lead to unauthorized access through improperly configured VPN settings. As many SMBs use Fortinet products for network security, they should review their configurations and apply necessary patches without delay.

Google Chrome Browser Vulnerability (CVE-2024-01234)

A high-severity vulnerability in Google Chrome could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted web content. Given that many employees use Chrome for business purposes, it’s crucial for SMBs to ensure their browsers are updated regularly.

If you’re an SMB looking for assistance in safeguarding your digital assets against these threats, contact Farmhouse Networking today! Our team of experts can help you implement robust security measures tailored specifically for your needs.

Make Cybersecurity Your New Year’s Resolution

Stepping into 2025, SMBs face an scary and complex cybersecurity field of battle. With hackers evolving cyber threats at a rapid pace, it’s crucial to make strengthening your digital defenses a top priority. Let’s explore some essential tips to boost your cybersecurity posture in the coming year.

Embrace a Zero Trust Mindset

Start the new year by adopting a Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity. This means verifying every user, device, and application attempting to access your network, regardless of their location. Implement Zero Trust Network Access protocols and use Application Allow/Deny lists to control which software can run on your systems.

Strengthen Your Network Defenses

Secure Your Wi-Fi: Ensure your Wi-Fi network is encrypted and properly configured. Use strong passwords and consider implementing network segmentation to isolate guest networks from your internal systems.

Implement Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems: Deploy robust firewalls to filter incoming and outgoing traffic. Couple this with intrusion prevention systems that actively seek out and block known threats.

Protect Your Data

Encrypt Sensitive Information: Apply encryption to both data at rest and in transit. This includes emails, file transfers, and stored documents.

Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Tools: Use DLP tools to track critical data and prevent unauthorized exfiltration attempts.

Enhance Authentication Measures

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA across all your systems, applications, and websites. This additional layer of security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Use Password Managers: Encourage the use of password managers to generate and store complex, unique passwords for each account.

Educate Your Employees

Regular Security Awareness Training: Conduct ongoing cybersecurity training for all employees. Focus on recognizing phishing attempts, proper handling of sensitive data, and best practices for remote work.

Prepare for the Worst

Develop an Incident Response Plan: Create a comprehensive plan that outlines procedures for responding to various cybersecurity incidents. Regularly test and update this plan.

Implement Robust Backup Solutions: Establish a regular backup schedule for all critical data and systems. Store backups securely, preferably in multiple locations, including off-site.

Stay Updated and Vigilant

Keep Software and Systems Current: Regularly update all software, applications, and operating systems. Automate updates where possible and conduct periodic audits to ensure nothing is missed.

Implement Real-Time Monitoring: Deploy solutions that provide continuous, real-time monitoring of your network and systems. This allows for immediate detection and response to potential threats.

Secure Your Remote Workforce

With hybrid work models likely to persist, ensure your remote workers are equipped with secure tools:

– Provide Zero Trust VPN access for secure connections
– Implement endpoint security measures even on employee’s own laptops
– Educate on the risks of using public Wi-Fi

Address IoT Security

As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands, so do the associated risks. Inventory your IoT devices, regularly update their firmware, and implement network segmentation to isolate these devices.

Ready to make cybersecurity your New Year’s resolution? Contact Farmhouse Networking today. Our team of experts is ready to guide you through every step of enhancing your cybersecurity posture, ensuring that your business stays protected throughout 2025 and beyond. Let’s work together to create a robust, tailored cybersecurity strategy that meets your unique needs and keeps your business safe in the digital age.

Why Araknis is the Best Choice for Business Networks

A reliable and robust network infrastructure is crucial for success. Araknis, a leading provider of networking solutions, offers a range of multi-gig VPN routers that are specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses. Let’s explore why Araknis stands out as the top choice for business networks.

Unparalleled Performance

Araknis routers and switches are built to handle the demands of high-speed internet connections, supporting up to multi-gigabit 2.5Gbps throughput from your internet provider and up to 10Gbps throughout the network. This impressive capability ensures that your business network can handle large data transfers, video conferencing, and other bandwidth-intensive applications with ease.

Versatility and Flexibility

One of the key strengths of Araknis is its versatility. Whether you need a wireless solution, a wired setup, or a combination of both, Araknis has you covered. Their product line includes:

  • Wireless access points with built-in Wi-Fi 6 technology
  • Wired routers and switches for more traditional ethernet or modern fiber setups
  • PoE+ enabled ports to power all the phones, cameras, and other network devices
  • 1U rack-mountable options for server rooms

This variety ensures that regardless of your business’s physical environment or networking requirements, there’s an Araknis network that fits perfectly.

Advanced Security Features

Araknis doesn’t compromise on protection. Their routers come with:

  • OpenVPN support: allowing for secure remote worker connections. 
  • IPsec VPN support: allowing for secure office-to-office or office-to-cloud connection
  • Embedded firewall: Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), Denial of Service (DoS) prevention, and WAN Request Blocking
  • VLAN routing: segment your network for added security
  • WiFi guest network: keep guest online and separated from business data

Cloud Management

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to choose Araknis is cloud management. This powerful management platform offers:

  • Faster setup and configuration
  • Robust remote management capabilities including printers and other network devices
  • Enhanced visibility and access to all network devices
  • Advanced troubleshooting tools
  • Real-time system health and diagnostic data

These features significantly reduce the need for on-site visits, saving time and resources while ensuring your network runs smoothly.

Future-Proof Investment

By choosing Araknis, businesses are making a future-proof investment. The routers, switches, and access points are designed to support the increasing internet speeds available today and are ready for the demands of tomorrow. This forward-thinking approach means your network infrastructure can grow and adapt as your business evolves.

Araknis routers offer a compelling combination of performance, versatility, security, and management capabilities that make them an excellent choice for business networks of all sizes. From small offices to medium enterprises, Araknis provides the reliable foundation needed to keep your business connected and productive.

Ready to elevate your business network with Araknis? Don’t wait to experience the difference. Contact Farmhouse Networking today to discuss how we can configure an Araknis-powered network tailored to your specific business needs. Let us help you build a network that drives your business forward.

Optimizing Network Performance for Multi-Location Businesses

Multi-location companies face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining consistent and efficient network performance across all their sites. A robust and optimized network is crucial for seamless operations, effective communication, and maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s explore how businesses can optimize their network performance across multiple locations.

The Importance of Network Optimization

For multi-location businesses, network optimization is not just about speed—it’s about creating a cohesive, secure, and efficient digital environment that supports productivity and growth. A well-optimized network ensures:

  • Consistent performance across all locations
  • Improved collaboration and communication
  • Enhanced security and data protection
  • Increased operational efficiency
  • Better customer experience

Key Strategies for Network Optimization

Network Monitoring and Analysis: Implementing comprehensive network monitoring tools allows businesses to gain real-time insights into their network performance across all locations. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues before they impact operations.

Traffic Prioritization: Utilizing Quality of Service (QoS) protocols to prioritize critical business applications ensures that essential services receive the necessary bandwidth, regardless of location.

Load Balancing: Distributing network traffic evenly across multiple servers or network links prevents any single point from becoming overwhelmed, ensuring smooth operations across all sites. This also avoids single points of failure. 

Network Segmentation: Dividing the network into smaller, manageable segments can significantly reduce congestion and improve overall performance, especially for businesses with multiple locations.

Regular Hardware and Software Updates: Keeping network infrastructure up-to-date across all locations is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and security.

Secure Remote Connections: Satellite offices will need to connect back to the main office for specific resources like authentication, computer policies, and industry specific applications. Making sure these remote connections remain online and secure is essential to make sure remote offices stay productive. 


Implementing Network Optimization Strategies

To effectively optimize your multi-location network:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive network audit across all locations to identify performance bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities.
  2. Implement unified network monitoring tools to gain visibility into performance across all sites.
  3. Standardize network infrastructure and policies across locations to ensure consistency and ease of management.
  4. Utilize cloud-based solutions for improved accessibility and scalability across multiple sites.
  5. Regularly review and update your network optimization strategy to adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements.

The Role of Managed IT Services in Network Optimization

A Managed IT services provider can be instrumental in implementing and maintaining these optimization strategies:

  • Centralized Management: They provide a single point of contact for all network-related issues across locations.
  • Customized Solutions: Tailoring optimization strategies to meet the specific needs of each business location.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly assessing and upgrading network performance based on the latest technologies and best practices.
  • Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Implementing robust backup and recovery solutions to ensure business continuity across all locations.

Optimizing network performance for multi-location businesses is a complex but crucial task. By leveraging the expertise of a Managed IT services provider, businesses can ensure that their network infrastructure is not just a utility, but a strategic asset that drives growth and innovation.

Ready to take your multi-location network performance to the next level? Contact Farmhouse Networking today to get started on your network optimization journey. Our team of experts is ready to help you create a seamless, efficient, and secure network environment across all your business locations.

CrowdStrike IT Outage: What could have been done to avoid it

The recent CrowdStrike IT outage on July 19, 2024, caused by a defective update for Windows, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of managing IT infrastructure and proactive measures to prevent system downtime. While no system is entirely immune to outages, there are several strategies businesses can implement to minimize the risk and impact of such incidents.

Key Strategies to Prevent IT Outages

Improve Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Practices: One of the most effective ways to prevent outages caused by software updates is to enhance CI/CD practices. This approach involves:

  • Automating the testing and deployment process
  • Implementing rigorous quality assurance checks
  • Using staging environments to test updates before full deployment
  • Gradually rolling out updates to detect issues early

By improving CI/CD practices, businesses can catch potential issues before they affect the entire network, reducing the likelihood of widespread outages.

Implement Comprehensive Load / Failure Testing: Regular load testing is crucial to ensure that systems can handle typical use cases and determine their potential in high use scenarios. A game plan should also be put in place for when systems fail to map out the road to recovery. This involves:

  • Simulating various levels of user activity
  • Identifying performance bottlenecks
  • Optimizing system architecture and configuration
  • Preparing for crisis scenarios, such as partial resource failures
  • Practice response to system failures before they become reality

Load / failure testing helps businesses understand their system’s limitations and address potential issues before they lead to outages.

Ensure Proper Scalability: As businesses grow, their IT infrastructure must be able to scale accordingly. This includes:

  • Designing systems with future growth in mind
  • Utilizing cloud technologies for flexible resource allocation
  • Regularly reviewing and updating system architecture
  • Implementing efficient systems that can handle increased business

Proper scalability ensures that systems can continue to function effectively as demand increases, reducing the risk of outages due to overload.

Enable Automatic Updates with Caution: While automatic updates can help keep systems secure and up-to-date, they should be implemented carefully. Best practices include:

  • Testing updates in a controlled environment before widespread deployment
  • Staggering updates across different system components
  • Having a rollback plan in case of issues
  • Monitoring systems closely after updates are applied

Automatic updates can help prevent security vulnerabilities, but they must be managed carefully to avoid introducing new issues.

Implement Comprehensive Monitoring: A robust monitoring system is essential for detecting and addressing potential issues before they escalate into outages. This includes:

  • Using a centralized monitoring platform for all IT infrastructure
  • Outsourcing it management is resources are not available 
  • Setting up alerts for unusual system behavior or performance metrics
  • Implementing predictive analytics to identify potential issues early
  • Regularly reviewing and updating monitoring parameters

Comprehensive monitoring allows businesses to take a proactive approach to system management, reducing the risk of unexpected outages.

Conduct Regular Employee Training: Human error is a common cause of IT outages. Regular employee training can help mitigate this risk. Training should cover:

  • Best practices for system usage
  • Recognizing and reporting potential security threats
  • Proper procedures for applying updates and patches
  • Emergency response protocols in case of system issues

Well-trained employees are less likely to make mistakes that could lead to outages and are better equipped to respond effectively when issues do occur.

Don’t let IT outages disrupt your business. Take action now to protect your company’s technology infrastructure. Call Farmhouse Networking today at (541) 761-9549 to schedule a comprehensive IT assessment and learn how our expert team can implement strategies to prevent costly downtime. Secure your business’s future with proactive IT management.

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And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. - 2 Corinthians 9:8-10