Why Your Antivirus Software Is Holy – And Not in a Good Way

Cyberattacks on businesses are on the rise and many business owners have become increasingly careful about keeping antivirus software up-to-date. This provides a first line of defense; however, it also provides a false sense of security. Antivirus software is only part of keeping cybercriminals at bay.

The Antivirus Software Security Hole

Kaspersky Lab recently conducted a study that found over 65 percent of companies don’t install security patches fast enough. More than 10 new computer viruses are created every day. Cybercrime is always on the rise and with every advance in security technology hackers improve their techniques to spread new viruses and malware that can leads to devastating outcomes for business owners. The malicious programs exploit lightning fast Internet connections using unprotected channels to bypass conventional antivirus shields. Often times, cybercriminals develop new viruses faster than software companies can create a patch to protect against them.

Even when anti-virus software is up-to-date, the protection is typically reactive in nature. According to DataQuest, users are only alerted to the presence of a virus that is already on their computer or has been for quite some time. It makes the user feel protected when in most cases it’s already too late. While this approach does identify attacks on your network, it isn’t much of a preventative strategy to help protect against all of the new viruses pouring into the world every day.

In fact, viruses and malware can infiltrate a business network in ways that anti-virus software simply cannot protect against. For example, Wi-Fi connected business networks are one primary area of vulnerability allowing computers and mobile devices at any security level to remotely connect to your business network and spread viruses.

The Danger of Vulnerability

Failing to implement adequate security measures for your network puts your business and clients at risk. Network vulnerability can result in loss of:

• Productivity due to slow network speeds and down-time
• Sensitive client data such as financial and demographic information
• Revenue spent recovering from an attack such as legal expenses and loss of clients
• Reputation with employees, vendors, and others in the marketplace

How to Protect Yourself

These network viruses are difficult to get rid of and can cause problems long after they are removed. The best solution for any business is to prevent threats by securing the network from the beginning. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re protected:

• Ensure you’ve installed the best antivirus software available on the market
• Monitor your systems and install security patches immediately as they become available
• Secure your Wi-Fi network and create a usage policy for external devices

If you’re not sure where to begin or what to look for contact an expert. All Phases IT is a Denver-based IT management service that can help proactively manage your infrastructure. Together, we can prevent network attacks before they occur and avoid costly downtime. Contact us for a complimentary consultation and evaluation of your current IT management practices!