Why Malware Protection Is Essential

Modern businesses need to make cyber security a priority if they want to flourish in their respective industries and remain compliant with relevant data protection regulations.

One vital part of cyber security is ensuring that your network and any programmable devices connected to it are protected from malware.

Malware is a broad term for a wide range of malicious software tools that could potentially harm your organisation and steal its information.

Whether you’re trying to earn a third-party cyber security certification or update your business’s digital security practices, you need to make sure that you have robust malware protection in place.

If you’re unsure about malware protection, what it is and how you can install it, then keep reading. The team here at UK Cyber Security have put together a comprehensive guide to malware protection so that you can understand and implement this vital solution for the benefit of your organisation.

What Is Malware?

It might seem complicated, but you probably already know more about malware than you might imagine. An amalgam of malicious and software, malware is a catch-all word used to describe any type of software that is programmed to infiltrate any device or network.

Software must be intentionally malicious to be classed as malware. Any programs that cause accidental damage are known as bugs or glitches.

Developed by hackers and cybercriminals, malware is used to enter a private network or access a device and reprogram it in order to steal data or cause intentional harm to the owner.

The use of malware can result in anything from the deletion or theft of data through to the complete corruption and destruction of your hardware.

Many cybercriminals also use a tool known as ransomware to hijack your network and then ransom it back to you so that you’re forced to meet their demands, which are usually money.

Some examples of malware that you might encounter are:

Computer viruses
Ransomware
Fileless Malware
Rootkits
Trojans
Adware
Key loggers
Malicious bots
Logic bombs
Worms
Spyware
SPAM content
Phishing emails

With so many applications, understanding malware can feel overwhelming for some leaders, particularly if you don’t have much technical knowledge. However, an understanding of what malware is and how to protect yourself is a key part of any modern business strategy.

New types of malware are created and released onto the internet regularly, so this list isn’t exhaustive. Criminals develop new solutions and adapt to the latest cyber security releases and procedures.

That means that organisations need to adapt equally quickly to ensure their digital safety. Thankfully, there are many ways an organisation can protect itself from a malware attack and ensure the safety of its valuable data.

How Can Your Business Protect Itself From Malware?

There are many ways that a business can protect itself from a malware attack. These include:

Installing quality anti-virus and malware protection software onto all connected devices
Using a firewall to act as the first line of defence for your network
Finding an ad-blocker that stops pop-ups and adverts from appearing on your browser
Making sure staff only use company hardware to access your firm’s network, not their own smartphones and laptops
Only using your company’s hardware on secure, private internet connections
Teaching your staff the basics of how to spot malicious content and links
Updating your software regularly to ensure you’re always using the latest version
Limiting your file-sharing practices
Sharing files on online platforms rather than using physical devices such as USB sticks
Choosing a Cloud storage solution over a physical server
Creating strong passwords and changing them regularly
Logging out of websites and only tools once you’re finished using them
Backing up your data often
Minimising downloads where possible and only downloading anything you do need from trusted sources
Putting together a cyber security procedure to ensure that staff understand your practices and implement them correctly

While it might sound like a lot of complicated work, malware is actually surprisingly simple to protect against if you have a robust cyber security practice in place.

If you don’t feel that you and your team have the expertise or time to produce a process and keep adapting to the latest cyber security sector developments, then you could consider collaborating with an external IT team or cyber security experts like UK Cyber Security.

Why Malware Protection Is One Of UK Cyber Security’s & IASME Governance Essentials

As this article highlights, Malware protection is a vital part of any cyber security strategy. That’s why it’s crucial for anyone looking to achieve Cyber Essentials or IASME Governance certification.

These certification programs, developed in conjunction with the UK government, allow organisations to prove to customers, service users and stakeholders that they are dedicated to cyber security and the protection of their precious data.

As an accredited provider of these certificates, UK Cyber Security understands the importance of malware protection and is deeply committed to advising business leaders throughout the country on the best options for them.

We know that malware protection plays a key part in protecting your organisation from a malicious attack, which is why we work with companies up and down the country to ensure that they have the malware protection they need.

Our expert team also offers a range of cyber security services to help organisations such as yours to do everything in their power to prevent a malware attack from causing havoc.

For example, thanks to the rise of remote working in today’s corporate landscape, it’s vital that businesses instigate awareness training for their staff.

We also offer a selection of preventative testing and auditing solutions, including disaster recovery planning, penetration testing, vulnerability analysis and more.

With our help, companies can achieve third-party cyber security certification and improve their overall cyber safety. This approach reduces their chances of a malicious attack causing potentially costly damage to their organisation.

So, if you’re looking to earn third-party cyber security certification and get guidance on how to protect your data from malware and other digital threats, then contact us today.