KEEPING YOUR COMPUTER SAFE WITH THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
Does Windows 10 Need 3rd Party Antivirus?
By Jani Joe | Submitted On February 12, 2020
For basic users, Windows Defender offers enough protection against malware and other cyber threats. In other words, Windows 10 has a protection system that is good enough for most users. For these users, opting for a third-party solution is not required. Let's find out if Windows 10 requires a 3rd party antivirus.
Microsoft continues to improve Windows Defender to make it more effective. Today, if you are tuned to the evolution of the desktop operating systems of Microsoft, you can notice that the software giant keeps on improving WD.
For instance, if you consider the April 2018 update, you will come to know that the Windows Defender has been upgraded to Windows Defender Security Center. This upgrade offers all the security features you need. You can configure a lot of things, such as parental controls, firewall rules, antivirus scanning and others.
For common users, this is great news, as they don't need to pay for advanced protection. By default, WD is enabled on all versions of Windows 10. This software program works like a product that is full of required features, such as real-time protection, and frequent updates.
But if you install a third-party antivirus, Widows Defender will be disabled. However, once you remove third party alternatives, it will be re-enabled.
Microsoft says tons of good things about the security features of Windows 10 and WD. In fact, the software giant claims that Windows 10 is the most secure version of Windows. In other words, if you don't install a third party antivirus on your copy of Windows 10, know that you are still protected against malware and other types of cyber-threats.
Over the past 10 years, we have seen that the security ecosystem received a lot of support from antivirus developers, especially Norton, Bitdefender and Kaspersky. And there is a good reason behind it. These solutions offer a powerful malware scanning system. However, some programs offer additional features for extra protection.
However, the biggest problem was the resource consumption of these programs. As native security software, WD should have no impact on the system stability. And it doesn't consume a lot of system resources either. Even if you have a lower amount of RAM, it will perform its job pretty well without overloading your system.
As far as efficacy is concerned, WD is advanced antivirus software that can detect different types of malware. Therefore, it can be effective against a lot of security threats. And the good thing about WD is that you don't need to download or install it manually. It comes pre-installed with Windows 10. All you need to do is keep it enabled on your OS and it will serve its job pretty well.
Windows Defender has developed into an advanced product that can be a good alternative to a lot of third-party security products for Windows 10. Therefore, you can stick to it to ensure your computer is safe.
However, if you need advanced features, you can still go for a better alternative, which you will need to pay for.
It's easy to activate your copy of Windows 10 Pro. All you need to do is check out Spotkeys. They have all the help you need to get your Windows 10 activated.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jani_Joe/795322
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Importance Of Cyber Security For Companies
By Shalini M | Submitted On September 06, 2020
If you manage a computer network for your business, you should be familiar with the term cyber security. In this article, we are going to talk about the importance of cyber security. The information given in this article will help you secure your computer systems against online threats. Read on to find out more.
1. Keep yourself Informed
Today, the importance of cyber security cannot be denied. If you click on suspicious links and don't secure your passwords, your sensitive information will be at risk. If you are business information goes into the wrong hands, your business will be at risk. Therefore, you may want to keep yourself informed for the sake of your business.
2. Install Antivirus
If you manage and a computer network system, you may want to consider the importance of antivirus programs. Technical teams are in need of a variety of tools, solutions, and resources. They cost a good deal of money. However, you may lose a lot of money if your sensitive information goes into the hands of hackers.
3. Get Insured
Over the past few years, the cyber security insurance market has expanded. This insurance is there to protect businesses against financial risk. For example, if you face a data breach, the insurance provider can help you manage your loss.
4. Take it Seriously
If you think cyber security is just a technology issue, you need to think again. You may face a data breach because of a member of your staff. So, the person behind the data breach is not important. The important thing is to take security measures in order to secure your systems.
The General Data Protection Regulation in Europe has compelled a lot of companies to take cyber security very seriously. So, now they are looking for ways to process and store their sensitive company data. As a matter of fact, these companies take cyber security as an opportunity to use company data in a safe manner. It is a source stroke of genius to fix weak spots that may cause a breach.
5. Think about Backup and Recovery
According to statistics, at least two companies get hit by ransom ware in one minute across the globe. The good thing is that you don't have to pay ransom provided you have a backup and data recovery system in place. There is no doubt that this type of breach can cause disruption. However, if you have a backup in place, you don't need to worry about hackers.
This is a quite simple point. However, statistics tell us that most companies ignore this basic point. Almost half of US companies that get hit by ransom ware end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to hackers. Based on these statistics, we can say that companies don't take proper measures in order to secure their systems against cyber threats.
Hopefully, now you understand the importance of cyber security in the world of the internet. Therefore, you may want to take proper security measures in order to ensure you don't have to pay ransom money.
If you are looking to improve your IT cyber security, we suggest that you try out managed IT services, such as Domain Digital.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shalini_M/2609777
Ransomware's Threat to Your Computers, Network and Information
By William G. Perry, Ph.D. | Submitted On October 21, 2019
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is one of the most vicious and insidious types of malware. It encrypts your data and makes it inaccessible. The cyber criminal demands that you send money (usually within a certain time period) to regain use of your system. You can only hope that if and when you pay what is demanded that the hacker sends you the decryption key.
Unprepared computer users can be devastated by a successful ransomware attack.
Today you should become urgently aware of ransomware and routinely do what is necessary to fight against it. The problem has been growing. In the previous year it reportedly grew by 2,500%. Unless you are careful, you could suddenly see a message on your screen announcing that your data is inaccessible.
Ransomware can be delivered to your computer in a variety of ways. An email attachment, for example, is a typical tool that can be used to infect your system. The cyber criminal's goal is to get you to "click" on a nefarious attachment installed on your computer. "Falling" for the trick, essentially allows the cyber criminal's program to run in the background and to encrypt essential data that renders the system inaccessible.
The use of Spamware is another delivery method that can be used to draw in users to take action to implement ransomware. There are a number of nasty techniques. Avoid clicking on unsolicited offers or questionable links. Evolving ransomware is now automated and some attacks are now hosted by cybercriminal organizations that sell ransomware as a service for a percentage of the amount stolen.
One is for the hacker to use an invisible web page placed behind the one that is observed on the screen. An unsuspecting computer user could click on a particular area on the screen and the downloading of the ransomware would begin without the user's knowledge.
Everyone Should Fear Ransomware The growth of ransomware has been huge and was labeled as the most significant malware in 2018. The number of attacks increased by more than 109% over the previous year. One industry source estimates that 75 billion dollars a year is now being lost.
The author is familiar with a city government that was the victim of a malware attack. The cybercriminal demanded $500,000.00 to restore user access to the city government's mission critical information. The ability of the municipality to conduct business ground to a snail's pace. Town officials were forced to pay the ransom. Fortunately, access to the records was restored.
Recovery costs from ransomware attacks are large. One well publicized attack on the city of Atlanta reportedly demanded a $51,000.00 payment. Recovery costs were estimated to have been 17 million dollars.
Cyber thieves use ransomware attack to extort monies from institutions, businesses, personal computers and even mobile devices (particularly Android systems). User awareness is a major factor that can influence whether an attempted ransomware attack succeeds. Keeping all of your software updated is important, too.
Backing up your data is one of your main defenses against a ransomware. You must remember, however, that anything connected to your network can be infected by ransomware. That includes the data stored in the cloud.
Professionals suggest that your backup must be completely apart from your mission critical information and stored separate and apart from your electronic data system.
Andra Zaharia with Heimdahl lists 15 items to take protection against ransomware to a higher level.
Her comments are paraphrased below:
1) Develop a strong sense of security awareness.
2) Avoid storing critical data on a PC.
3) Maintain at least two full backups on a removable hard drive.
4) Sync your data to whatever cloud solution you use and immediately close out the connection.
5) Consider conducting a "white hat attack" on your computer systems.
6) Update and patch all operating system and application software.
7) Consider using a guest account (rather than an administrator account) for daily use.
8) Turn off all macros (special command sequences): Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Java, etc.
9) Remove browser plug-ins (Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Java and Silverlight). Set the browser to request activation.
10) Maximize your browser's security settings.
11) Remove any older software or plugins that you don't use any more.
12) Use an ad blocker to avoid malicious ads.
13) Never open email from unknown senders.
14) Never download attachments.
15) Never click on questionable links.
16) Purchase and use a reputable antivirus or malware product and set it to automatically update.
17) Consider using a traffic filtering software package.
18) Another source suggests disabling what is known as Remote Desktop Services if you don't use it.
The author of this article personally recommends that you avoid maintaining a persistent connection to the Internet.
You need to have a backup plan in place and on stand-by to avoid wasting critical time. You'll have to wipe your computer if infected by malware. Therefore, you must be prepared to restore your data from the backup you maintain. Security professionals suggest that you practice restoring your data from backup.
What Can You Do if You Are a Victim?
The truth is that restoring your information is likely the only way to defeat the cybercriminal that attacks with ransomware.
The federal government advises that once you detect an attack you notify authorities as soon as possible. Report a ransomware attack to the nearest FBI field office or United States Secret Service. Doing so might be able to help you prevent further losses.
What Resources Are Available to Help?
The Department of Homeland Security publishes a detailed report entitled, "Ransomware, What Is It and What to Do About It"
Another cyber security resource is 21 Ways You Can Fight Cybercrime. You can downloaded free from http://www.computer-security-glossary.org.
The Computer Security Glossary is published by Dr. William G. Perry. The site is dedicated to helping individuals and small businesses protect their computers and mission critical information. Perry is a patriot and believes "I'll do anything I can to increase the awareness of the threats and vulnerabilities that computer users face." Readers may download a copy of a free eBook, "21 Ways You Can Fight Cybercrime" from the website.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_G._Perry,_Ph.D./751220