In our increasingly digitized world, businesses of all sizes face cybersecurity threats, and the need to prepare for these threats – especially when it comes to supporting anti-virus software – is undeniable. In this article, we explain how to choose the right anti-virus for any business. Reliability and security of antivirus software are required to be on a high level.
Why is anti-virus software so important for business?
As a business scales, so does its customer base, the several important documents and files increase and no one wants to lose everything at the same time because a computer virus has infiltrated the corporate network. These days, any business and any computer connected to the global network is vulnerable to external threats. In addition to the standard viruses, worms, and Trojans, there are methods such as:
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Targeted attacks
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Blocker and ransomware viruses
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Spammers
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Phishing scams
Not all viruses get on your computer by themselves, it’s human error, but not all viruses can be stopped by standard antivirus protection options. This means that, in our reality, a complex antivirus system is required to minimize the likelihood of viruses getting in as much as possible.
Besides various viruses, your company can be hindered by cyber-attacks, which have recently increased to unrealistic levels. Data thefts consider small businesses to be easy targets for obvious reasons: far too many businesses run low-quality anti-virus software and even no longer install firewalls, leaving their networks exposed to hackers.
Antivirus evaluation criteria
1. Number of known viruses – it is important that the antivirus can detect as many viruses as possible to eliminate them effectively.
2. Update frequency of virus definitions – This determines how quickly the virus definitions are updated.
3. Emulator – Good anti-viruses can emulate the launch of a program. I.e. the engine monitors what the program does.
4. Heuristic analysis – This analyzes the contents of a file and does not look for a signature, but typical virus sequences. In this way, viruses can be detected which have never been analyzed and which do not yet exist in the antivirus database.
5. No false positives – A good anti-virus should have very few false positives. It is not uncommon for an antivirus to be configured
to remove viruses automatically. A not-so-good antivirus that is not tested, or not tested well enough before release, might at some point remove important files, which might cause your programs to stop working, or your system to crash.
The best antivirus software for your business
The great thing is that you don’t have to waste a fortune on robust antivirus and firewall software – an essential consideration for small and mid-sized companies, that might not have a large affordable budget for this stuff.
A modern anti-virus software solution will spot and thwart many of the attacks and tactics cyber attackers employ these days and undermine their attempts before they start to cause trouble.
1. McAfee Endpoint Security
McAfee Endpoint Security is a sought-after approach to securing your small business. And with a free evaluation version, before you need money, it’s a perfect place to begin your search for a solution.
McAfee Endpoint Security covers the fundamentals of the security solution, incorporating anti-virus security and a built-in firewall. It also employs machine learning to detect code that may be causing trouble purely on how it operates and shows up on your network. And if you wish to stop zero-day malfunctions or malware that has not yet been fixed, you can restrain it by blocking specific kinds of malfunctioning behavior.
2. BitDefender GravityZone Business Security
BitDefender GravityZone Business Security is another convenient tool that ships with a free trial so that you can see what you receive before you choose to pay the money.
It employs computer learning and artificial intelligence to constantly watch your network for potential issues. And because a lot of this data flows from the cloud, any time it finds a bug elsewhere, it notifies its broader network to seek out similar issues.
3. Norton Security Standard
Norton Security Standard is the perfect option for those who want to secure a single PC, Mac, or mobile gadget. You can rely on this software to secure you from a variety of malicious activity, for example, ransomware, viruses, spyware, and malware.
And if you browse the web, the software will hold your financial and personal data, such as credentials, out of the way of hackers. Norton Security Standard has a built-in firewall, and you have complete control over Norton’s security experts who will guide you through the process of dealing with trouble when it arises. If a Norton expert can’t secure your appliance against harmful code, you’ll get a free refund.
4. Symantec
Symantec software is in operation in over 175 million locations around the world and resists a diverse range of risks you may encounter, including ransomware, malware, and even zero-day exploits. When attacked by phishers trying to pilfer your credentials, Symantec Endpoint Protection 14 doesn’t just shut down the attack.
On the contrary, it traps attackers in a so-called “decoy minefield” where they can uncover their techniques before they’re stopped. Besides, Symantec Endpoint Protection 14 has many other functions to keep the load on your network and ensure that it runs smoothly.
5. Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus
Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus is another perfect fit for small businesses that turn to the cloud and a wide network of endpoints for maximum protection. Armed with this information, Avast software can be run on Macs, PCs, and servers.
The provider says it’s best for smaller companies that require four devices or under. If you want something more robust, you can opt for the company’s cloud-connected antivirus software. It is targeted at five or more devices.