Learn how to – 5 Ways to Prevent Malware Infections

Learn how to – 5 Ways to Prevent Malware Infections.

Statistics indicate that over one billion malware programs are out there, with over half a million new pieces of malware being detected daily and four businesses falling victim to ransomware attacks every 60 seconds. Pop-up and spam ads, frozen or unusually slow system functionality, recurring system crushes, new folders or files created without authorization, redirection from popular sites to unknown ones, and unfamiliar icons on your desktop are signs you have malware.

Malicious software infections can disrupt business operations, cause you to lose client confidence, cause irreversible reputation damage and legal action against your organization, and have devastating financial effects. Here are five ways to prevent malware infections.

1. Use a secure web gateway

Secure web gateways are network security devices that protect internet users against web-based threats. They do so by halting malicious traffic that may cause network intrusion or malware infection. A secure web gateway serves as a hurdle, ensuring you don’t access malicious sites, web traffic, or malware that’s part of a cyberattack.

Due to increased cyberattacks and remote workforces, you need a secure web gateway as part of your layered security technique. It acts as a security filter by obstructing malware experienced by user-generated internet traffic, securing your company from data breaches while helping ensure that you enforce network-related regulatory and corporate policy compliance standards.

2. Keep your software up-to-date

Regular software updates are a simple safeguard for yourself and your business against cybersecurity threats. Software updates are an essential aspect of your system’s security. Failure to keep your computers up-to-date may cause the operating systems to become more vulnerable to cyber threats, letting cybercriminals access your devices and the invaluable data in them.

These vulnerabilities are a chance for malicious actors to hack and plant malware. Keeping your software updated minimizes exposure and prevents threat actors from invading your system.

3. Implement access control systems

Access control in data security involves determining who can access specific information. It’s an excellent way to ensure that only authorized persons can virtually or physically access data they have permission for. The access control process is about granting authorizations and restricting access that lets people do anything, including accessing, reading, modifying, communicating, and deleting or otherwise deleting to a protected device.

Access control systems can be technical, administrative, or physical and should be implemented based on your company’s needs and requirements. Discretionary access control (DAC), mandatory access control (MAC), role-based access control (RBAC), and attribute-based access control (ABAC) are the access control models you should familiarize yourself with.

4. Be careful of email links and attachments

Emails and other messaging systems are common ways your devices can get malware infections. Consider using an email service that offers protection from malicious links, attachments, abusive senders, and links. Links or attachments in emails and messages can secretly trigger downloads or directly open malware. Some emails may provide guidelines to let macros and any executable content meant to infect your devices with malware easily.

5. Install anti-malware or antivirus software

Anti-malware or antivirus software tools are vital for spotting and safeguarding your endpoint devices or more extensive network against the most standard and new malware-related risks. Various anti-malware and antivirus tools provide different protection levels, including browser, user-device, network, and server-level protection.

Endnote

Malware, if not protected against, can cripple your business. Use these tips to prevent malware infections and strengthen your business’s cybersecurity.