Why Antivirus Isn’t Enough

Why Antivirus Isn’t Enough

Antivirus software is an important part of every business’ cyber security solution, but it cannot be relied on to protect you from the wide variety of threats you face whenever you use the Internet. Here are three ways hackers can bypass malware scanning software.

 

By Using Undetectable Malware

Some hackers are talented programmers, able to create a brand-new piece of malware that no antivirus company has ever seen before. Many more hackers aren’t skilled at all, but can use special software to modify a piece of existing malware enough that it can’t be detected by antivirus software.

 

By Using Detectable Malware, But the Right One

Not all antivirus software detects all known malware. The antivirus companies don’t update their malware definitions all at the same time, so a known piece of malware might not yet be known to your antivirus. If a hacker knows the specific brand of antivirus software your company uses, they can test ahead of time whether it will be detected.

 

By Not Using Malware At All

Not all threats require malware. If a hacker can acquire an employee’s password and access their email remotely, they can impersonate the employee and send a fake invoice or a request to change the employee’s banking details in your payroll system, while never having to install a piece of malware, or even connect directly to your network.

Another attack type known as ‘living off the land’ involves using the legitimate tools bundled with your computer to do all the same things that another hacker might use malware for. As the software is already installed on the computer, antivirus software will not detect it.

 

 

Interested in a more thorough cyber security solution? Contact Wireless Communications!