Antivirus Solutions – What to Look For in a Security Suite
Antivirus software protects against malware, ransomware and other threats. They also safeguard devices from data breaches, identity theft and online fraud. The most effective antivirus software suites have extra safety features such as an VPN or password manager as well as parental controls. The suites are accessible for both desktop computers and mobile devices.
Most antivirus software uses signature-based detection. This method creates an array of code fragments that represent known malware. During scanning the antivirus software is looking for these signatures. It alerts users when they are detected. However, hackers are constantly generating new viruses, with variations that can elude traditional antivirus signatures. This is known as polymorphic malware and is designed to elude detection methods based on signatures. To stop this, some antivirus programs employ cloud-based detection tools that make use of global intelligence to detect and block emerging threats.
A solution that is based on behavior is a different option to be aware of. This is a more sophisticated approach that monitors the device’s actions and looks for patterns that could be suspicious. This is especially effective when combined with heuristic-based signature detection. It can be used to detect zero-day attacks, which are threats that haven’t been identified yet.
Businesses can also choose antivirus products that can be scaled to meet their requirements. Some are designed to operate as a full security suite that includes tools such as firewalls, intrusion-detection systems and multifactor authentication. Many business owners do not have the technical know-how to build and manage cybersecurity systems, so they can seek out managed services providers for help.