With the development of technology, malware attacks are becoming more and more common for individuals and businesses. 

Since 2014, security breaches have gone up by 67% and only continue to climb. From client data breaches to substantial financial loss, cybercrimes can have dire repercussions for businesses in various industries of all sizes.

Malware attacks occur in a variety of forms, some of which you may be familiar with, like phishing and viruses. You can decrease the effect of these attacks on your company and safeguard your organization ꟷ and its data ꟷ from possible risks with enhancements in your cybersecurity.

Before diving deeper into the ways you can better protect your business, let’s first understand what malware is and the many forms in which cybercriminals attack.

What is Malware? 

Short for malicious software, malware is a program or software that infects users’ computers, causing damage to the hardware and software, and often disables the system entirely. Malware observes and records keystrokes, steals vital data, slows down systems, and spreads the infected software by infecting other systems.

Some of the most common types of malware you need to be looking out for are: 

• Viruses
• Worms (similar to viruses) 
• Trojans
• Spyware
• Adware
• Ransomware
• Phishing 

Signs of a Malware Attack 

Generally, most people do not even notice they installed malicious software onto their computers, not until it’s too late. However, there are several obvious signs you can look for if you have fallen victim to an attack:

• Computers run slower than usual, like taking longer to load webpages or applications
• Systems constantly crash
• An increased number of website pop-ups
• Randomly disabled programs throughout your computer
• New and unfamiliar programs get installed onto your computer
• You notice new toolbars on your internet browser
• You experience changes to your browser that you did not make 

If you discover that you or your company experiences a malware attack, immediately shut down everything. Disconnect from the internet, as well as any additional wireless functionality such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. That will help stop the spread of the malware.

5 Steps You Must Take to Protect Your Business from Malware

In 2020, there were 4.83 million distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks by June of that year, according to Finance Online. These attacks continue to happen, and here are some steps you can take to protect your business from these and other malware attacks.  

1. Strengthen Password Protection

Make sure every staff member understands the significance of secure passwords. You can iterate this by implementing special character requirements and frequent password changes. An excellent way to secure your passwords is to use a password manager. Also, consider requiring multi-factor verification processes, which will only enhance your password protection. 

2. Deploy Security Software and Firewalls

Why is protecting your business from malware so crucial? 

Simple, having anti-virus, anti-ransomware, and anti-malware software in all your security systems is critical to protecting your business from malicious software threats. The software notifies you of any possible threats from suspicious websites. What can you do to remove malware from your system? 

Fortunately, security software can prevent, identify, and overpower any malware that may be infecting your computer.

Also, don’t think for one minute that, because you have a Mac, you are not susceptible to a malware attack. It isn’t only Windows and PC users that need to worry. Your Mac is not immune to malware.

3. Regularly Update Systems 

One of the primary methods used by cybercriminals to infect computers is through holes in the company’s software systems. The most suitable way to thwart these threats and prevent these attacks is by simply updating all your systems regularly. Developers are constantly looking for ways to fix bugs and detect system vulnerabilities and weaknesses and correct any software problems.

4. Perform Regular IT Audits 

Performing regular IT audits for a deeper analysis of your company’s IT infrastructure will also help ensure that you know whether existing controls work efficaciously to safeguard your company’s data. Also, it will alert you of possible threats to your current computer system.

5. Protect Your Hardware

While you protect your software, do not make the mistake of forgetting about your systems’ hardware. Ensure that you have a robust set of security standards in place for your business to protect itself against any theft of the devices and data stored there. 

Small Business IT Solutions in a Simple, Straightforward Way

The threat of a malware attack is a concern that every organization must deal with every day. However, with the right precautions, you can guarantee that your company’s big data remains safe. When you integrate your IT infrastructure with Plus, Inc., you protect your business from malware attacks with our rich security features. 

Looking to protect your business from the devastating impact of malware? Contact us today to speak to one of our friendly professionals and let us know how we can help you with your IT services.