Why Antivirus Protection is No Longer Enough - ThreatAdvice

Today’s cybersecurity landscape is continually changing, with more people connected online, using more apps, services, and devices than ever before. With this increased digital use comes the risk of more ways for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. 

It’s no longer enough to use antivirus protection to ward off cyber attacks, you need robust cybersecurity solutions with cutting-edge technology to keep your business data safe in any threat situation. Antivirus software is rarely as effective as today’s newer solutions against the diverse range of viruses and malware.

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software is a type of cybersecurity solution that protects against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. The software scans emails, websites, and downloads for malicious content and if anything suspicious is detected, the software will prevent it from harming your system. 

Every day over 450,000 new malicious programs and applications are registered, so it is important to not rely on antivirus software alone to protect your business data, given the substantial amount of malicious activity.

Antivirus software is passive, so an infection occurs before the solution can react and clean it up. This leaves your business open to quick-acting malicious activity, which might cause significant damage before you take action. 

An increasing number of cybercriminals are creating smarter malicious programs, making antivirus technology less effective. Antivirus software can detect known threats, but new threats are likely to avoid detection. 

Types of cyber-attacks that bypass antivirus

Phishing is one of the most common ways that cybercriminals attempt to steal information. In phishing attacks, the attacker tricks victims by pretending to be a trustworthy source, company or organization. If users click a malicious link or download an infected file, the attackers may gain access to your network, and then steal information that is sensitive or valuable. Antivirus software can only detects known threats, and is not reliably effective against new variants. 

Antivirus software does not have access to operating systems which allows browser-based attacks to bypass it. These attacks infect your device by using malicious scripts and code. In order to prevent these attacks, some browsers include built-in defensive tools but must be used consistently and correctly to be effective.

Data stealing malware hacks data and credentials from browsers, by bypassing antivirus software with files that appear to be legitimate. This malware that steals data has become more common as more people use the internet on their personal devices, particularly for work reasons. 

Robust cybersecurity solutions other than antivirus

While it is recommended to use antivirus software as part of your overall cybersecurity strategy, relying on one piece of software for cyber protection is a recipe for disaster. To ensure your business is fully secure, you need to invest in a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity.

Here are a few more security tools to keep cybercriminals out of your network:

Device encryption

An encrypted device ensures that no one can access the data without the correct password or key. Even if a device is stolen or infected with malware, proper encryption can prevent unauthorized access. 

Multi-factor authentication

It just takes one account to be breached to spell disaster for your business. Instead of relying solely on passwords, implement multi-factor authentication across your organization to protect all your data. This is particularly important if you have sensitive or personal information on devices or accounts. MFA requires users to input more than one piece of information to access accounts, such as a time-sensitive code. 

Password manager

That said, passwords are a key element in keeping accounts and networks secure, but it is critical the same ones are not reused and should be strong and hard to crack. Password managers are a secure vault for keeping track of unique passwords and keeping them safe from hackers. 

Endpoint detection and response

An EDR solution monitors the behavior of the network and endpoints and stores these logs. EDR technologies can give your in-house IT staff the data they need to understand the nature of any attack against you, delivering automated alerts and endpoint remediation. 

Cyber security awareness training

Employees should be made aware of the risks associated with cyber-attacks, as well as how to handle them if they occur. You can help your users recognise suspicious activity by educating them about the threat landscape. Security awareness training may help them recognise phishing scams as well as how to safely use company computers and follow security best practices. 

Managed security service provider

Managed service providers (MSPs) are an excellent choice for firms seeking improved data protection. With advanced cyber security solutions, tools, and 24/7 network monitoring for any dubious activity, an MSP can safeguard your devices, data, and network. 

Protect your business with more than antivirus 

The scope of information security is getting progressively less secure as newer, more sophisticated cyberattacks are invented, implemented, and used to steal information or money from businesses of all sizes. Antivirus software is an important part of your organization’s digital security, but alone it isn’t enough. 

Implement a multi-layered and comprehensive cybersecurity solution with ThreatAdvice’s Threat Breach Prevention Platform that comprises cybersecurity architecture, advanced protection, and comprehensive oversight in one overarching solution. Contact ThreatAdvice today and get the best protection for your business.