Cybercrime is expected to cost $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. If measured as a country, cybercrime would be the world’s third-largest economy after the U.S. and China. As cybercrime becomes more pervasive, businesses need stronger defenses to protect enterprise file data from malware. Companies have a responsibility to keep customer and employee information secure.
Antivirus software is an important defense because if viruses get into an enterprise network, they can
- Crash devices
- Spy on users through webcams
- Monitor and access personal accounts
- Delete files
- Reformat or erase hard drives
What Is Antivirus Scanning?
Antivirus scanning software finds viruses and contains them before they can infect other devices and damage the network. According to Norton, a virus is “a type of malicious code or program written to alter the way a computer operates and is designed to spread from one computer to another.”
One of the virus types is a file-infecting virus, which is also known as a file injector virus. A file-infecting virus is malicious code that is added to a file. This file could be a Word doc, spreadsheet or other executable file. Executable file types include .exe, .vbs or .com. When the recipient opens an infected file, the malicious code is executed. The virus starts copying itself and runs in other executable applications.
To keep file-infecting viruses away from your network, it’s important to pick a managed file transfer (MFT) solution that has antivirus scanning.
How Does Antivirus Software Work?
Here are three ways antivirus software finds viruses:
- Signature-based detection
- Heuristic-based detection
- Behavior-based detection
The software compares a list of known malware with the files and applications it scans. If it finds a match, it will try to remove the file.
The software can recognize signs in each file’s code that look like known malware. Because it’s based on patterns instead of exact matches, heuristic-based detection catches some viruses that signature-based detection doesn’t.
The software analyzes files and programs for strange or unauthorized behavior. Behavior-based detection is the most advanced of these types.
Once antivirus software finds a virus, it tries to remove or delete it. If the virus can’t be deleted, the virus is quarantined. This means that the virus is separated from the rest of the device to keep it from infecting anything.
Can Antivirus Software Scan Zip Files?
Yes, but keep in mind that antivirus software may scan .zip files differently. Some temporarily decompress the files and scan the contents, while others scan the files for viruses after they’ve been extracted.
Can You Scan an Attachment for Viruses?
Yes! Your desktop email client should have antivirus scanning built in, but you can also install a third-party antivirus software for extra security.
Virus-Free File Transfers Every Time
The amount of security breaches and cybercrime in the world today is unprecedented. CIOs and IT directors must respond now by adopting a secure file transfer solution that increases productivity while ensuring the security and availability of enterprise information.
Thru was designed with IT and cybersecurity experts in mind by combining an intuitive user interface with extensive security options for controlling and protecting enterprise data. Highly advanced security features like encryption and antivirus scanning make Thru the ideal MFT solution for businesses.
I bring to the table a wealth of expertise in the field of cybersecurity, with a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of cyber threats and the measures required to safeguard against them. My experience encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including malware detection, antivirus software, and secure file transfer solutions.
Now, delving into the concepts mentioned in the article:
1. Cybercrime Statistics:
- The $10.5 trillion annual cost projection by 2025, as stated by Cybersecurity Ventures, underscores the staggering economic impact of cybercrime. This figure positions cybercrime as the third-largest economy globally, following the U.S. and China. This highlights the urgency for robust cybersecurity measures.
2. Enterprise File Data Protection:
- With the increasing pervasiveness of cybercrime, businesses are urged to fortify their defenses to protect enterprise file data from malware. This includes implementing comprehensive security solutions to safeguard sensitive customer and employee information.
3. Antivirus Software Importance:
- The article emphasizes the pivotal role of antivirus software as a crucial defense against cyber threats. It outlines the potential consequences if viruses infiltrate an enterprise network, ranging from device crashes and spying on users to unauthorized access to personal accounts and file deletion.
4. Antivirus Scanning:
- Antivirus scanning is a proactive measure to identify and contain viruses before they can propagate and cause harm. It involves scanning files and applications for malicious code, with an emphasis on the importance of managed file transfer (MFT) solutions that incorporate antivirus scanning features.
5. Types of Viruses:
- The article briefly touches on file-infecting viruses, a subtype of malware that adds malicious code to files, such as Word documents or spreadsheets. These viruses spread when infected files are opened, emphasizing the need for protective measures.
6. How Antivirus Software Works:
- The three primary methods of virus detection are highlighted:
- Signature-based detection: Matching against a known list of malware.
- Heuristic-based detection: Identifying patterns resembling known malware.
- Behavior-based detection: Analyzing files for abnormal or unauthorized behavior, considered the most advanced approach.
7. Antivirus Software Functionality:
- Once a virus is detected, antivirus software attempts to remove or delete it. If deletion is not possible, the virus is quarantined, isolating it from the rest of the system to prevent further infections.
8. Scanning Zip Files and Email Attachments:
- Antivirus software is capable of scanning .zip files, employing various methods. Some solutions temporarily decompress files for scanning, while others scan files after extraction. Email clients typically have built-in antivirus scanning, but additional third-party software can enhance security.
9. Secure File Transfer Solutions:
- The article underscores the unprecedented level of security breaches and cybercrime, prompting Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and IT directors to adopt secure file transfer solutions. Thru is presented as an ideal Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution, designed with IT and cybersecurity experts in mind, offering advanced security features like encryption and antivirus scanning to ensure the secure transfer of enterprise data.
In conclusion, the information provided emphasizes the critical importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, with a specific focus on antivirus software and secure file transfer solutions to mitigate the escalating risks associated with cybercrime.
