Malware Defense: Everything You Need to Know

Malware is a global threat, with threat actors developing new forms of malware every day that aim to infect company systems and exfiltrate sensitive data. Organizations need to develop a thorough malware defense strategy to keep themselves safe. 

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of malware defense, touch on the various types of malware that a company can expect to come across, and outline the key strategic steps to keep you safe.

Quick Takeaways

• Malware Defense Is Necessary: If malware enters a company system, it can have significant consequences, including major data breaches and the loss of customer faith.
• Malware Defense Is Preventative: Many malware defense solutions focus on preventing malware from downloading onto a company system in the first place.
• Malware Defense Is Varied: An effective malware defense strategy makes use of several tools and systems that work together to build a comprehensive defense. 

Importance of Malware Defense

Once malware enters a company computer or user device, it completely shuts down the entire ecosystem, taking over and stopping network administrators from accessing their own files. 

As soon as malware is on a system, it becomes much more difficult to restore that device or network to a functional level. Over the past few years, malware programs have become more complex and better at duplicating themselves and hiding in networks, making them a challenge to remove.

A business that suffers a malware security event could have:

• Its sensitive documents leaked
• Iits customer data sold online
• Its financial records released to the public

Alongside data exfiltration, data breach events also cause reputational damage. Recruitment firm Barclay Simpson estimates that the average reputational cost of a data breach can exceed $1.57 million due to customers taking their business elsewhere and finding alternative providers.

Malware defense is critical as it prevents malware from ever entering your system. 

By blocking malware programs at the door, you stop them from jeopardizing your system and impacting its functioning. An effective defense strategy will help to reduce the likelihood of a data breach event occurring in your organization, keeping your employees and customers safe. 

Types of Malware Threats

Some malware aims to shut down networks to prevent companies from operating, while others simply aim to find and liberate sensitive data.

Here are some of the common types of malware threats:

• Ransomware: Ransomware is one of the most pressing forms of malware, as it encrypts a system to prevent users from accessing their files. Malicious actors normally follow up with a ransomware threat and demand that the user pay a certain amount to get their files back. 
• Adware: Adware is a form of malware that will interact with user systems to redirect them to malicious sites. When a user types something into Google, their search may be redirected to a malicious website where their information is captured and sold.
• Spyware: Spyware is a common form of malware that hides within a device for as long as possible. Once on a device, it will steal any sensitive information it comes across, like passwords and logins, financial details, and any valuable data.
• Trojans: A trojan is a malware file that seems like a regular file. A user will download this seemingly normal file, which then allows the malware to infect the system. 
• Worms: A worm is a type of malicious software that replicates in a computer system to pass from one computer in a network to another. Once these enter a system, they can quickly overtake whole networks, which hackers can then leverage to steal information or encrypt data.

Key Components of Malware Defense Strategy 

Here are some strategies that businesses should employ when defending their organization from malware.

• Anti-Malware Solutions: Anti-malware software are programs that sit within a company’s network and scan for malicious files and traffic. They are one of the most effective tools to detect and prevent malware, as they can locate suspicious files and block them from downloading.
• Signature-Based Detection: Every malware program includes small markers in its code that hint that it is malicious software. By using signature-based detection, businesses can search through their files to find these markers, isolating the software and removing it from their system.
• Behavior-Based Detection: Certain programs should behave in specific ways. When a file exhibits suspicious behavior that does not align with its usual patterns, this form of detection can flag the file as malware and remove it.
• Sandboxing Techniques: Sandboxing is a cybersecurity technique where you run a malware attack in a secure, isolated environment. Experts can observe the malicious file and learn how to remove it effectively from this controlled environment. 
• Industry Standards: There are numerous industry standards that businesses must follow to ensure their cybersecurity defenses are able to handle common malware threats. Most countries have additional individual standards, like the UK’s Minimum Technical Security Measures.

By incorporating these strategies, businesses will be able to identify, isolate, and block malware in their systems, contributing to the security and longevity of their organization. 

Creating a Bulletproof Security Strategy with Perimeter 81

The first step in creating an effective malware defense strategy is to find an anti-malware solution that’s right for you. Perimeter 81 offers an extensive range of security solutions, with the Malware Protection package offering a seamless method of covering all of your endpoints.

With Perimeter 81, your business can halt malware that attempts to enter your network, intercept malicious traffic, and keep your employees safe with a comprehensive level of real-time protection. 

Get started with Perimeter 81 today by requesting a free demo.

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