Businesses, regardless of size and other factors, are constantly trying to mitigate security risks. Malware remains one of the common security concerns for all companies, regardless of size, niche, and industry. There are varied kinds of malware – trojan, worms, viruses, ransomware, spyware, and adware, and each one does a specific kind of harm. If you want to avoid a malware attack, it’s important to be proactive. In this post, we are reviewing some of the best malware prevention tips at a glance.
- Focus on emails. Enterprises often don’t train people, especially employees, on how to read emails or practice safe browsing. Ensure that no one downloads anything from an email that comes from an untrusted source.
- Many URLs and links are just fishy, and phishing links are not hard to come by. If your employees are not trained or educated about phishing attacks, or how hackers use social engineering, consider doing a workshop.
- Remove outdated software. All networked devices work like computers, and must be checked from time to time to find bloatware and outdated software. Get rid of any software or app that’s not in use anymore.
- Take password standards to the next level. Strong passwords must be created for each and every account & user. Replace default username & passwords right away, and stick to standard practices. Ensure that employees are using a password manager.
- Update all firmware and software. Firmware, apps, and software that are in use must be updated to the latest version, as and when available. Manufacturers offer these updates to fix security flaws and issues.
- Use antivirus and antimalware software. Using such software programs can alert the user on malware presence, preventing an incident. Not all antimalware software products are great, so do your homework before selecting one.
- Make the most of network segmentation. For the uninitiated, network segmentation is about dividing the network into segments, so that compromise or breach on one subnetwork doesn’t impact others.
Not to forget, schedule scans and test your network frequently. IT environments are complex and hybrid, and constant monitoring and keeping an eye for red flags can reduce damage caused by malware. Businesses should also consider having an incident response plan in place, and employees must be asked to report incidents, so that preventive steps can be taken in time. Malware attacks are common, but also preventive – Consider having a more hands-on approach.
