Anti-malware software is something that can save your business from total financial destruction and save its reputation.
Anti-malware software can be the deciding factor in whether your business survives in 2022. Malware, short for malicious software, is the general term to describe any software which aims to cause damage to your server, computer, or computer network.
Designed and created solely for criminal purposes, malware is used to attain unauthorized access to personal and financial information, destroy files, espionage, and other illegal activities.
According to the State of Email Security survey , in 2020, as many as 61% of organizations found that malware activity had spread from one employee to another, with that number reaching an astonishing 74% in 2021.
And the cost of these cybercrime hits businesses where it hurts. For example, Sophos claims that ransomware can cause an average of USD 732,520 for those that don’t pay for the demanded ransom and as much as US$1,448,458 for those that do.
This considers downtime, device cost, people time, lost opportunity, network costs, and the ransom paid.
What types of malware exist, and how can you leverage anti-malware software to increase profitability?
Let’s dive in.
Potential Malware Attack Techniques
There are three main types of malware:
Worm – This malicious software is initially standalone software but reproduces itself, spreading from one computer to another.
Virus – A virus is a code that is inserted through the code of a program. It then makes the program take malicious action and spreads.
Trojan – Like the infamous Trojan horse, this type of malware masks itself as something that the user is looking for, tricking the person into activating it, causing damage in its wake, and spreading simultaneously.
There is a considerable specter of damage that can be caused by malware. This includes:
- Data loss
- Frequent crashes
- Slowing down your device
- Damaging or deleting files
- Formatting your hard drive
Let’s unpack the potential attacks that exist used by malware.
Spyware – Used to spy on the unsuspecting user, spyware inspects the data you both send and receive. It typically does so to record and send this information to a third party. One of the most-commonly used spyware tools for hackers, keyloggers, trace all the keystrokes of a user. This is ideal for stealing passwords.
Adware – This malware automatically shows or downloads adverts, such as pop-ups or banners, when you’re online. It is often found in free downloads, such as free VPNs or free streaming and torrenting websites.
Rootkit – Hackers use a particular set of software tools that allow them unauthorized access and control of a service or network, usually without detection.
Ransomware – Damaging and costly, ransomware encrypts the hard drive’s files. Then, hackers demand payment to return your data via a decryption key, usually by way of a Bitcoin payment. Businesses both large and small have fallen at the hands of ransomware; some have never recovered.
Malvertising – This is when hackers pay for ads on legitimate sites online but lace them with malicious code. When the person clicks on the ad, it will either redirect them to a dangerous website or install malware directly onto their computer.
Cryptojacking – Cybercriminals infect your computer with malware forcing it to mine for Bitcoin in the background without you ever knowing, filling their pockets and slowing your device.
Hackers will always follow the money trail. You can count on that.
Cyberattack trends chop and change from year to year, including the type of malware used, as well as their victims. While large enterprises also equal big financial rewards, small businesses tend to have weaker security systems.
One thing is for sure. Cybercriminals will most likely hit where they believe the biggest return on investment lies.
The Cost of Malware on Businesses
Malware attacks are becoming more widespread than ever before, and hackers are unrelenting and indiscriminate.
Even if your company is not the direct target, it could still be affected financially due to a targeted attack on a vendor or professional partner.
The FBI states that the cost of cybercrime in the US alone in 2019 was $3.5 billion; however, this number is likely much higher due to many attacks going unnoticed.
Even more worrying, the average malware attack sets businesses back more than $2.5 million. This includes the time it takes to resolve it, which is, on average, 50 days.
Yet, the cost of preventing malware attacks and other cybersecurity problems is much less and comes in the form of powerful anti-malware software.
The Anti Malware Software Solution
A premium anti-malware software will offer a multi-layer strategy that detects malicious behavior and works to protect individuals and businesses alike round the clock.
Anti-malware software is like a ray of sunshine in the dark abyss of cyberattacks. Their advantages include:
- Blocking spam and ads
- Save your business money
- Safeguard your passwords
- Preserve your data and files
- Security from removable devices
- Supercharge your computer speed
- Protection from malware and their spread
- Protection from spyware and phishing attacks
- Protection against cybercriminals and data thieves
- Limiting access to websites and enhancing web security
Those working remotely should know that malware can enter your computer through popular cloud applications like Microsoft Teams and Slack.
The most reliable way to ensure you and your team are covered is by having software scan your entire cloud environment, including messages, files, and applications.
Save Your Business from Losing Money
New malware variants are popping up online all the time. Unfortunately, this is something that will never change. It’s the nature of the beast.
Businesses that fail to protect their data and their customers’ data run a high risk of being compromised, financial losses, and possible reputational damage that is hard or even impossible to come back from.
The solution is simple. Companies must invest in a trusted anti-malware software solution to ensure maximum protection and increase profitability.
Without the right defense strategy, businesses face a high risk of stolen data, slow performance, and lost employee productivity.
More Anti-Malware Topics on Hackread.com
- Top anti-virus, anti-malware products contain security flaws
- Hackers can access a trove of stolen credentials on VirusTotal
- Norton antivirus installs cryptominer on devices but there is a way out
- 10 Powerful But Not Yet Promoted Antivirus for PC, Mac, Android, iPhone
- How To Prevent Growing Issue of Encryption Based Malware (Ransomware)
