9 Tips to Choose the Best Antivirus | Free Antivirus

Are you looking for the best antivirus or the best security solution for the IT maintenance of your SME? There are so many options on the market that you may not know what to choose. Surely you have heard thousands of times how important it is to have an antivirus, but you may not know what criteria it has to meet to achieve the best security for your company.

On some occasions, we have talked about the importance of making backup copies as the safest method to protect your company's information.

Today we are going to guide you in the most important aspects that you

Today we are going to guide you in the most important aspects that you have to take into account to choose the best antivirus option for your SME.

With more than a quarter of a million new malicious programs being detected every day, it is clear that everyone needs the protection of a good antivirus product. Having it will not guarantee us to be free from threats, but we will make it more difficult.

It doesn't matter if you work on Windows, Android, or macOS: there is malware that makes its way to your computer. But what kind of antivirus software should you get? Will you have to pay for it, or is the free antivirus good enough? Is anti-malware software the same as anti-virus software? Why are there so many different types of antivirus software, even from just one brand? And does the use of antivirus software pose a risk to computer equipment?

The answers to all these questions are complicated, but we are going to try to give you some basic advice while you decide on the best protection for your SME IT.

1. A Free Antivirus That Offers Good Protection, but Pay Offers More Features

Some free antivirus products will protect your computer systems extremely well from malware. But paid products tend to have a lot more extra features, especially on Windows. You just have to keep in mind that in most cases you will have to spend an annual subscription. Most people tend to go for less expensive products, and while this is a good general approach, it is not always the best. In the case of security products, that means looking for the cheapest product that meets your needs and offers the protection you need. That product might not be the least expensive on the market. On the other hand, imagine how much it will cost you if you buy a bargain security product that cannot protect your personal files against ransomware threats.

2. Look for a Light System Load

It is true that any antivirus program will use up some of your computer's resources, but a good antivirus program should keep your system free of malware without significantly slowing down your system's performance. In testing, the best antivirus software is hardly a drag on performance.

3. A Near-perfect Detection Rate

Since the role of antivirus software is to detect threats, it should do so flawlessly. Seek certification from a respected third-party testing organization.

You will need to ensure that your antivirus software stops more than 95% of malware, whether it is common malware or new malware. But make sure that the detection rate is not accompanied by a high rate of false positives, which are benign files mistakenly identified as malware.

4. An Intuitive Interface

Because antivirus software can be customized, it is important that the interface guides users through the various settings.

5. Daily Updates

Provide up-to-date protection. An antivirus solution that uses old and outdated malware definitions is a weak product. Viruses continually evolve, they never stop, so antivirus must do that too. A good antivirus is a product that is constantly updated, several times a day.

6. Consider the Reputation

This may seem a bit conservative, but in the IT security market, reputation matters. Buying and using a security product from a reputable company is usually a safer bet than jumping in with a security product from an unknown company. Good security solutions tend to stay good as time goes on.

7. Antivirus Alone or Security Suite?

Antivirus software comes as a standalone program, but you can also purchase it as part of a comprehensive security suite. Security suites, covered in our separate report on Internet security software, are more expensive, but include a range of protections, with antivirus, antispyware and antispam programs, identity theft protection, firewalls, and parental controls. 

8. Check the System Requirements

Make sure the antivirus program you choose works with your Windows or Mac operating system. If you have an older computer, a large antivirus software program can consume a large percentage of your computing power and may have compatibility issues.

9. Avoid Conflicts

Antivirus software rarely works very well with similar products from different vendors. Before installing third-party software, completely uninstall any pre-existing security software.

An Overview of the Most Dangerous Ransomware Viruses in 2020 | Cloud Antivirus

For decades, cybercriminals have successfully exploited flaws and vulnerabilities on the World Wide Web. However, in recent years, there has been a clear increase in the number of attacks, as well as an increase in their rate - attackers are becoming more dangerous and malware is spreading at a rate never seen before.

Introduction

We are talking about the ransomware that made an incredible leap in 2020, causing damage to thousands of organizations around the world. For example, in Australia, ransomware attacks such as WannaCry and NotPetya have even raised government concerns. To summarize the ransomware “successes” this year, we will look at the 10 most dangerous and most damaging organizations. Hopefully next year we will learn lessons and prevent this kind of problem from entering our networks.

1. NotPetya

The ransomware attack began with the Ukrainian accounting software MEDoc, which replaced 1C, which was banned in Ukraine. In just a few days, NotPetya infected hundreds of thousands of computers in over 100 countries. This malware is a variant of the older Petya ransomware, except that the NotPetya attacks used the same exploit as the WannaCry attacks. As it spread, NotPetya affected several organizations in Australia, such as the Cadbury chocolate factory in Tasmania, which had to temporarily shut down their entire IT system. The ransomware also managed to infiltrate the world's largest container ship, owned by Maersk, which reportedly lost up to $ 300 million in revenue.

2. WannaCry

This ransomware, terrible in scale, has practically taken over the entire world. Its attacks used the infamous EternalBlue exploit, which exploits a vulnerability in the Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. WannaCry infected victims in 150 countries and over 200,000 machines on the first day alone. We have published a personal file of this sensational malware.

3. Locky

Locky was the most popular ransomware in 2016, but it has not stopped operating in 2020. New variants of Locky, dubbed Diablo and Lukitus, emerged this year, using the same attack vector (phishing) to target exploits. Locky was behind the Australian Post email fraud scandal.

4. CrySis

This instance excelled in its masterful use of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). RDP is one of the most popular ways to distribute ransomware, as cybercriminals can thus compromise machines that control entire organizations.

5. Nemucod

Nemucod is spread using a phishing email that looks like an invoice for shipping services. This ransomware downloads malicious files stored on compromised websites. In terms of phishing emails, Nemucod is second only to Locky.

6. Jaff

Jaff is similar to Locky and uses similar techniques. This ransomware is not remarkable for its original methods of distributing or encrypting files; on the contrary, it combines the most successful practices.

7. Spora

To distribute this type of ransomware, cybercriminals hack legitimate sites by adding JavaScript code to them. Users visiting such a site will receive a pop-up warning prompting them to update their Chrome browser to continue browsing the site. After downloading the so-called Chrome Font Pack, users became infected with Spora.

8. Cerber

One of the many attack vectors that Cerber uses is called RaaS (Ransomware-as-a-Service). According to this scheme, cybercriminals offer to pay for the distribution of the Trojan, promising a percentage of the money received for this. This “service” allows cybercriminals to send out ransomware and then provide other attackers with tools to distribute.

9. Cryptomix

It is one of the few ransomware that does not have a specific type of payment portal available within the dark web. Affected users must wait for cybercriminals to email them instructions. Cryptomix victims were users from 29 countries, they were forced to pay up to $ 3,000.

10. Jigsaw

Another malware from the list that started its activity in 2016. Jigsaw inserts an image of a clown from the Saw movie series into spam emails. As soon as the user clicks on the image, the ransomware not only encrypts but also deletes the files in case the user delays in paying the ransom, the size of which is $ 150.

Conclusions

As we can see, modern threats are using increasingly sophisticated exploits against well-protected networks. While increased employee awareness is helping to cope with the impact of infections, businesses need to go beyond basic cybersecurity standards to protect themselves. Defending against today's threats requires proactive approaches that leverage real-time analysis capabilities based on a learning engine that includes understanding the behavior and context of threats. You have to more depend on cloud antivirus rather than traditional antivirus so that your security protection will be totally cared for by the cloud server organization.

Cybersecurity Tips for Business | Use Cloud Antivirus Service

The Internet is constantly growing and improving, thanks to this we can now communicate freely with people all over the world. With the spread of Wi-Fi, we began to create devices that also connect to the Internet by transmitting data over the network. This is great, but the flip side of the coin is that every person connected to the Internet on the planet now has their own networks and their own data, which can become a victim of theft.

We believe that raising awareness of these vulnerabilities and educating the public can make the internet a little safer. It will be useful for businesses to learn about such effective information security measures as employing hackers, simulating phishing for their employees, and cyber insurance policies.

Basic Rules to Prevent Cybercrime Against Small Business

1. Be Careful With What You Post About Yourself and Others

How you talk about others on the Internet reveals a lot about your own personality. In addition, you can get yourself in trouble with the law or even become vulnerable to theft or burglary. People can track what you say online - so if you said you were going on vacation for the week, it should be easy for a potential burglar to find your address. Caution should be exercised about violations of NDAs, employment contracts, and other agreements that you have signed. In addition, it may be a violation of the law to disclose someone else's personal information or publicly accuse a person without any evidence.

2. Understand What Data Your Company Collects - and Make Sure It is Protected

In order to keep your business data safe, you must audit and determine which of them is public information (and therefore should not be closely guarded), which are of medium importance, so that they will not greatly affect the business. in the event of a leak (some security measures should be established for them) and, finally, which data is most important and confidential. The last category of data will greatly affect the business in the event of theft - and it must be protected as reliably as possible with the strictest access rights for employees and partners.

3. Use Multiple Authentication Factors

Authentication is the act of confirming identity (whether a user, computer, or other devices) by comparing the provided credentials with an existing database of authorized users before allowing a given system or application to access the system. For example, entering a username and password to access your email account. But instead of relying only on passwords, which are becoming increasingly insecure, we recommend using multiple factors for authentication. These factors include some user secrets (for example, username/password, answer to a secret question), some of their physical property (for example, digital certificate, smart card), and some biometric factor (for example, fingerprint, face recognition).

4. Enable Https for Your Site

An SSL / TLS certificate is installed on the server to activate HTTPS. This certificate encrypts all data between the browser and the server, be it personal or financial information that is entered on a web page, or the content of pages. In this way, information is protected from outsiders (for example, from intruders and government surveillance). SSL certificates can also tie your brand to a website: this allows visitors to verify that your site really belongs to your company and not a scammer (in the case of a phishing site). The EV SSL certificate clearly demonstrates this by coloring your browser address bar green and showing your company name.

5. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Many black hackers sell data that they managed to get after hacking. This includes information about thousands, if not millions, of users and their passwords. If you use the same password on every account, then it becomes a trivial task for a hacker to gain access to all of your systems. Or a hacker can brute force the password. It is much more difficult if the password is long, composed of a variety of characters, and does not contain words from the dictionary. Use a password manager to ensure you don't forget unique passwords for each service.

6. Update All Software

Hackers are always looking for new vulnerabilities in the software your business is using. Finding them is as easy as finding a path on your Windows network. At the same time, the software companies themselves are working hard to release patches to fix these vulnerabilities, so it is very important to update the software as soon as an update is released.

7. Back Up All Data

Backups ensure that files can be recovered in the event of data loss. You should always store your data in different locations, physically separated, so that hackers cannot access everything at once. And the backups need to be updated regularly.

8. Install a Firewall on the Internet Gateway

Firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorized access to the private network. A set of rules can be established to determine which traffic is allowed and which is denied. A good firewall should monitor both inbound and outbound traffic.

9. Use the Cloud Antivirus

Cloud services are a useful tool, especially for small and medium-sized companies that want to place their data under the protection of a large company. When registering with a cloud antivirus provider, it is important to make sure you know everything about it. Where are the data centers, where exactly your data is stored, and how you can access it?

10. Security Training for Employees

From time to time security training should be arranged for employees to educate them about various cyber threats.

• Establish rules for using your own devices in the workplace
• Create an incident response strategy
• Training employees to work with passwords
• Make sure employees check for the letter s in https when they search the web
• Use secure email communications and provide training on the risks of phishing attacks
• Leaders must spread a culture of cybersecurity
• Simulation of phishing to keep employees in good shape - in a playful way for interest

What to Do if I Receive Fraudulent Emails | Antivirus Software

Please note, many fraudulent emails are currently circulating in order to recover your personal and banking data. This scam technique is called "phishing". How to recognize a phishing attempt? What steps should you take, especially with your bank, if you are a victim of phishing?

What is Internet Phishing?

Phishing (or “phishing”)  is an Internet scam technique increasingly used by hackers to steal personal data such as:

• your name and address,
• your contact details (telephone, postal address, etc.),
• your date of birth,
• your bank account number,
• your social security number,
• your Internet connection details for banking or merchant sites ...
• your e-mail username and password, etc. 

To obtain this information, the hackers send a  fraudulent e-mail that appears to come from the Administration  (tax service, health insurance, family allowance fund),  a bank, or a recognized company  (telephone operator, operator of energy, e-commerce site, etc.).

How to Recognize a Fraudulent Email?

The sender's email address includes the name of the organization or company whose identity has been spoofed but often contains anomalies (inconsistencies in the logo, text, spelling errors, etc.). It is one of the first things to look out for to prevent personal data theft.

The content of the email is not personalized (for example, it begins with "dear customer"). The body of the message can contain an image instead of the text to prevent the detection of the mail by the spam filters.

The email invites you in a short time:

• to respond directly to the e-mail by providing personal data,
• to click on a link to complete a form,
• or open an attachment. 

In the typical fraudulent e-mail, the excuses often put forward are the following: an update of your personal data, the verification of a debt, a payment, the imminent deactivation of your account, a reward, or a discount (for example a tax reduction).

In general, the email may contain either a  link that refers to a fraudulent website strongly resembling the official website of the company or organization in question (site URL address, the home page, and logo almost identical), or an attachment (form to fill in, the program to run, etc.).

Either way, you risk giving information to crooks and infecting your computer with a virus that will pick up whatever you type on your keyboard and send it to the crook.

What Are the Precautions to Take After Receiving a Fraudulent Email?

If you have received a suspicious email  :

• do not answer the email,
• Report the fraudulent email and the offense of which you have been the victim to the competent authorities on the Internet platform
• forward it to the address alert@securite.lcl.fr if this email mentions LCL
• do not click on any link contained in the email / do not open the attachments,
• destroy the email,
• update your computer's protection system (antivirus software, firewall, anti-spyware). 

If you have any doubts, call the organization or company in question directly before answering the email.

If you have already replied to a fraudulent email  :

• notify the organization whose identity has been spoofed and change inadvertently transmitted passwords;
• check your bank statements and make sure that no amount has been withdrawn irregularly. If not, contact your bank immediately to object.

What is Phishing? And How to Avoid Scams Like That?

Phishing messages (or phishing scam ) are among the biggest dangers on the internet. These fraud attempts arrive via email, social networks, WhatsApp, and the like, and can result in serious consequences for victims, especially financial loss.

It is to help you protect yourself against this danger so often that this text was written: in it, you will understand what phishing is, you will know how this type of message tries to deceive you and you will see tips on how to prevent yourself.

What is Phishing?

The term phishing refers to the English word fishing, which means "Pescara", in free translation. The association with this activity is not a mere chance: phishing scam is an attempted fraud on the Internet that uses "baits", that is, devices to attract a person's attention and make him perform some action.

If the individual "takes the bait", he may end up informing strangers of bank details or other confidential information, only realizing late on that he was the victim of online fraud. In the same way, you can infect your computer or smartphone with a virus or other malware.

Phishing often arrives via email, but it can also exploit other means, such as SMS, social networks, and instant messaging services, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.

Typically, messages of this type are created to appear to be issued by well-known institutions, such as banks, telephone operators, government agencies (such as the IRS or some DMV), and credit card administrators, although they can also impersonate individuals.

This is one of the main features of phishing scams. Another is the arguments used to convince the user to click on a questionable link or file that accompanies the message.

Main Dangers of Phishing

Arroba - illustrative image a person receives a phishing scam message and does not realize that they are facing fraudulent content, they can take an action that will result in financial loss or other inconvenience.

An e-mail of the type that passes for bank notice, for example, can guide the user to click on a link to update a record. In doing so, the person will fall on a fake website, but very similar to that of the banking institution. If you do not notice that that page is not legitimate, it will provide sensitive data, such as the current account number and account access password.

This type of fraud is so common that, today, many banks use complementary protection measures, such as requiring an extra code sent by SMS or application or allowing the user to access the account only from registered cell phones or computers.

In a more sophisticated scheme, the message may contain an attachment or link that points to malware. If the user executes it, the plague will install on his computer or mobile device and will be able to perform a series of actions, such as recording typed data, capturing user files, or monitoring his activities on the web.

Another possible consequence of phishing is to confirm that the user's email or mobile number is active. After that, the person will start receiving other messages of the type of SPAM (unsolicited e-mails) and can still be classified as a "potential target": when executing the action of the first message, he told the scammers not to know how to identify misleading content.

Variations can affect the user in other ways. A person can, for example, accept an invitation to a supposed game on a social network. In doing so, the malicious application can automatically issue invitations to other users. These, upon realizing that the invitation came from an acquaintance, will be able to accept it, continuing the scheme.

It doesn't end there. Other examples of problems: the user's computer, if infected by malware, can emit SPAMs; accounts on online services can be hacked thanks to the capture of passwords and usernames; the person may make purchases on a fraudulent website and, for this reason, not receive the product; and so on.

What if the Phishing Has My Full Name or Social Security Number?

It may happen that phishing has your full name, social security number, or other personal information. The objective here is obvious: with this data, it is easier to convince you of something.

Fortunately, this type of message is unusual. What happens is that, in some way, the fraudster had access to a database with people records. This is possible, for example, when an online store is hacked or when an employee of a company improperly resells information.

Therefore, even when the message contains personal data, do not disregard the possibility of an attempted coup there.

Tips to Protect Yourself From Phishing

It is practically impossible to prevent scams from reaching you, but a few simple precautions help you get rid of the danger:

• The first is to observe the characteristics of the message (visual, spelling errors, suspicious links, persuasive arguments, among others), as explained above;
• Remember that debt notices, court summons, or registration requests, for example, are not usually made by email or social media, but by correspondence sent to your home or workplace. Do not be carried away by the threatening or alarmist tone of the message;
• Be suspicious of very generous offers. Nobody will give you prizes for contests that you are not participating in or will offer a product with a price much lower than what is practiced by the market. If you are required to pay a fee or make a cash contribution, you can be sure that it is fraud;
• Be careful with your curiosity and be wary of sensational news, conspiracy theories or news that cannot be confirmed in renowned vehicles;
• If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a message, contact the mentioned company or institution by phone or official website to ask for clarification;
• Use total security software and update your software, especially browsers. They can block inadvertent clicks on malicious files or links;
• If you are sure that a message is phishing, delete it immediately. You can also mark it as spam when possible. This is because, depending on the service used, if a significant number of users mark a message as such, it can be automatically blocked in other people's accounts;
• Pass these guidelines on to family, friends, co-workers and other close people to prevent them from falling victim to the problem.

I Fell Into Phishing. What to Do?

• If you took any action due to the influence of phishing, you must act soon. If you have entered a fake bank website and entered your personal data, for example, you must immediately contact the bank to block your account and obtain a new password. If you have already passed your credit card details, it is important to contact the operator to cancel it and check for unrecognized entries.
• If you've clicked on malware, it's a good idea to check your computer or mobile device with an up-to-date, reliable antivirus. In addition, it may also be a good idea to change passwords entered after contamination.
• In the event of injury or any other considerable inconvenience, do not hesitate to seek guidance from law enforcement or judicial authorities.

What is Computer Virus and Malware? What Are Their Types?

Computer viruses are small programs capable of causing great inconvenience to individuals, companies, and other institutions, after all, they can erase data, capture information, alter or impede the operation of the operating system, and so on. As if that were not enough, there are other similar software, such as  Trojan horses,  worms, hijackers,  spyware, and ransomware. In this text, you will learn a little about how these true "digital plagues" act and learn the basic differences between them.

Before, What is Malware?

It is common for people to call viruses any program for malicious purposes. But, as the first paragraph of the text indicates, there are several types of "digital plagues", viruses being just one category of them.

Currently, a more heated term is used to generalize these programs: the name malware, a combination of the words malicious and software which means "malicious program". Therefore, malware is nothing more than a name created for when we need to refer to malicious software, be it a virus, worm, spyware, etc.

It is important to note that the word "computer" is used in this text in the broadest way, considering the various types of computing devices that exist: desktops, servers, smartphones, tablets, and so on.

It is also worth noting that malware is not limited to a single platform. There are those who think, for example, that there are only digital plagues for Windows, but that is not true. What happens is that the Microsoft family of operating systems is more popular and therefore more targeted. As there is no 100% secure software, malware can also be developed to attack any other platform, after all, there is always someone willing to discover and exploit its deficiencies.

What is a Computer Virus?

Illustrative image of virusesAs you already know, a  virus is a program with malicious purposes, capable of causing inconvenience with the most diverse types of actions: there are viruses that erase or alter users' files, which impair the functioning of the operating system by damaging or altering its functionality, which cause excess traffic on networks, among others.

Viruses, like any other type of malware, can be created in several ways. The first ones were developed in programming languages ​​like C and Assembly. Today, it is possible to even find tools that help in its creation.

How Do Viruses Act?

Viruses receive this name because they have propagation characteristics that resemble real viruses, that is, biological ones: when a virus contaminates a computer, in addition to carrying out the action for which it was programmed, it also tries to spread itself to other machines, just as they do biological viruses in the invading organisms.

In the past, viruses had a very limited range of action: they spread, for example, whenever a contaminated floppy disk was read on the computer. With the emergence of the internet, however, this situation has changed dramatically, for the worse.

This is because, with the internet, viruses can spread much faster and infect a much more significant number of computers. For this, they can explore several means, among them:

• Security flaws ( bugs ): operating systems and other programs are not perfect software and can contain flaws. These, when discovered by people with malicious purposes, can be exploited by viruses, allowing contamination of the system, often without the user noticing;
• E-mails: this is one of the most explored practices. The user receives messages that try to convince him to execute a file attached or present on a link. If the user does it without realizing that he is being deceived, his computer will surely be contaminated;
• Downloads: the user can download a file from a specific website without realizing that it may be infected.

Viruses can also spread through a combination of means. For example, a person in an office can execute an e-mail attachment and thereby contaminate your computer. Then this same virus can try to exploit security holes in other computers on the network to infect them.

Other Types of Malware

As you already know, viruses are not the only malware that exists. The definition of what the pest is or does not depend essentially on its actions and ways of propagation. Here are the most common types:

Trojan Horse (Trojan)

Trojan horses  (or  Trojans ) are a type of malware that allow some way of remote access to the computer after infection. This type of pest can have other features, such as capturing user data to transmit it to another machine.

In order to be able to enter the computer, the Trojan horse usually passes for another program or file. The user can, for example, download it thinking that it is a tool for a specific purpose when, in fact, it is a trojan.

This type of malware is not designed to replicate itself. When this happens, it is usually a joint action with a virus.

Worm

The worms  (or maggots) can be interpreted as a more intelligent type of virus than others. The main difference is in the form of propagation: worms can spread to other computers quickly - either over the internet or via a local network - automatically.

It is explained: in order to act, the virus needs to have the "support" of the user. This occurs, for example, when a person downloads an infected attachment from an email and executes it. Worms, in turn, can infect the computer in a totally discrete way, exploiting flaws in applications or the operating system itself. Of course, a worm can also rely on a user's action to spread, as generally this type of malware is created to infect as many computers as possible, making any means that allow it to be acceptable.

Spyware

Spywares are programs that "spy" on users' activities or capture information about them. To infect a computer, spyware is often "embedded" in the software of questionable origin, often offered as freeware or shareware.

The captured data is later transmitted over the internet. This information can range from user browsing habits to passwords.

Keylogger

Keyloggers are small applications that can be embedded in viruses, spyware, or software of doubtful origin. Its function is to capture everything that is typed by the user. It is one of the ways used to capture passwords.

Hijacker

Hijackers are programs or scripts that "hijack" internet browsers. The main victims were the older versions of Internet Explorer. A hijacker can, for example, change the browser's home page and prevent the user from changing it, display advertisements in new windows, install toolbars, and prevent access to certain websites (pages of antivirus companies, for example). Fortunately, today's browsers have more security features, considerably limiting the action of this type of digital pest.

Rootkit

This is one of the most dangerous types of malware. They can be used for various purposes, such as capturing user data. So far, nothing new. What makes rootkits so threatening is their ability to hinder their detection by antivirus or other security software. In other words, rootkits are able to "camouflage" themselves in the system. For this, rootkit developers can make use of several advanced techniques, such as infiltrating malware into active processes in memory, for example.

In addition to being difficult to detect, rootkits are also difficult to remove. Fortunately, their complexity of development means that they are not very numerous.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware with a bolder "purpose": once active, the pest can block or limit (or allow its creator to do it remotely) access to files, folders, applications, entire storage units or even prevent the use of the operating system. To release these resources, the ransomware usually shows messages demanding payments. It is as if the computer has been hijacked.

To convince the user to pay the required amount, the message may contain threats or blackmail, saying, for example, that important data will be deleted or that private images of the person will be published on the internet if payment is not made.

Users who have their computer infected with ransomware should not give in to pressure and pay, not least because, not infrequently, nothing happens when this is done. Ideally, the person should use security software (endpoint security software) to try to remove the pest or, if unsuccessful, look for someone they can trust to do so.

What is the Damage Caused by Ransomware | Total Security

If you are infected with ransomware, you will not be able to perform normal operations such as encrypting files stored on your PC or changing your password. It features a warning screen when you try to access your data, asking you to pay in exchange for recovering your data. Malicious threats have also been reported, such as gradual deletion of data at regular intervals if payment requests are not followed.

In addition, there is a risk that not only will the files on the infected PC be encrypted, but the data on another storage connected to the PC will also be encrypted. In addition, ransomware has caused damage by changing the target, scale, and system shape several times. Information should always be gathered as ransomware threats continue to exist.

Cases of Damage Caused by Ransomware

Reveton

Ransomware that spread around 2012. It gets into your PC as a Trojan horse and locks your system for fictitious reasons as you download pirated software or illegal porn on your infected PC. The notification is disguised as if it was sent by the police, and it is devised to display the user's IP address on the screen.

WannaCry

It is said to be the largest attack in history, and in 2017, more than 200,000 large-scale infections in 150 countries were confirmed. Damage reports from Japanese companies have also been confirmed. WannaCry spread the infection by exploiting a security flaw, a "vulnerability" that Microsoft could not address. The infection has spread not only to individuals and businesses but also to government agencies and hospitals, causing confusion in Europe, such as hospital closures due to damage.

Transmission Route

It is said that there are two main routes of ransomware infection: "website" and "email". Let's understand the characteristics of each to prevent infection.

Website

Techniques such as WannaCry that attack security vulnerabilities are also cases of using websites. When an attacker creates a website with a virus and a user browses it, it becomes infected with ransomware. Even if it is a legitimate website, an attacker invaded and unknowingly rewrote the program. Recently, it has spread in the corporate network through infected terminals, and there is a strong tendency to target companies that are not well managed and cannot frequently update security.

Other reports have shown that users can install ransomware themselves. For example, when you visit a particular site, the site will appear garbled and you will be prompted to install the font. Clicking the install button is a way to install ransomware instead of fonts.

Email

In the case of email, a Trojan horse-like technique that infects ransomware by opening links and attachments in the text is a standard. If you misunderstand that the email has important content such as an invoice or out-of-office notification and open the document file, the device will be infected with ransomware. The content of the email may be spam or targeted email.

In the case of spam mail, it can be automatically eliminated to some extent by using the junk mail filter. On the other hand, in the case of targeted emails, the emails are sent as if they were related parties, so you need to make your own judgment. If you do not know the danger of ransomware, you may open it by mistake, so take measures such as strengthening security software and regularly checking whether your PC is up to date.

How to Protect From Ransomware Infection

There is no authoritative option to protect your data from ransomware infection but using a new generation antivirus like total security can extend your level of security to a new height.

Why Does Your Windows - Not Just Windows 10 - Need Endpoint Security?

Windows 10 and Endpoint Security

Windows 10, despite being considered the most secure Windows operating system, is not without its flaws. Security experts have proven that Windows' built-in security features, such as Windows Defender, Firewall, etc., are also proving ineffective.

Therefore, companies using the Windows 10 operating system need endpoint security to protect the various terminals that connect to the network and to protect the network itself.

Does Your Windows 10 Need Endpoint Security?

Windows security tools will never be enough. Because today's security attack vectors are too many to manipulate. This means that we no longer live in a world where email attachments or web downloads are the only sources of malware infection.

Simply put, your Windows operating system needs additional layers of protection in the form of antivirus for windows or, perhaps, much more, depending on your needs.

With that in mind, let's take a look at how you can protect your Windows operating system from various security threats:

1 - Keep your Windows operating system up to date: Today is Windows 10. Tomorrow there will be another new version. Whatever it is, make sure your PC is updated to the latest version. This is probably the best thing you can do besides providing antivirus for Windows. Because the latest update is usually the one that protects users against all known security vulnerabilities.

2 - Make sure that other applications are up to date: What's inside your Windows operating system is also important. We mean other major programs and applications. Make sure that they are all up to date and contain the latest security fixes. Because it is a well-known fact that hackers try to exploit popular software like Java, Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat, etc.

3 - Use the proactive security solution: Unfortunately, the traditional antivirus alone will not be enough. Especially when it comes to combating modern malware, which employs sophisticated methods. Therefore, to face the ever-changing landscape of digital security threats, users need proactive security solutions, such as Internet security (for home users) and Endpoint protection (for companies).

4 - Use local account instead of Microsoft account: If you are using Windows 10, it is better to avoid the Microsoft account and choose a local account, because using the Microsoft account means saving some of your personal data in the cloud, which is not such a wise thing to do. To choose a local account, go to Settings> Accounts> Your information and select Sign in with a local account.

5 - Maintain user account control always activated: UAC (User Account Control) is a Windows security responsible for preventing unauthorized changes (initiated by applications, users, viruses, or other forms of malware) in the operating system. This ensures that changes are applied to the operating system only with the approval of the administrator. So always keep it on.

6 - Make regular backups: Be prepared with the “worst” in mind when it comes to dealing with security threats. Therefore, make regular backups of your system (both online and offline) so that all of your data is not lost, should your PCs be affected by security threats, or encounter an irreparable hardware problem.

7 - Keep your browser updated: Browsers are what we use to access the Internet. Therefore, security vulnerabilities in them mean an entry path for security threats. So, as with the operating system and other applications, keep your web browser up to date as well. Other security measures you can take: 1) opt for private browsing mode to prevent sensitive details from being stored 2) prevent or block pop-ups 3) configure browser security settings to improve security, etc.

8 - Disable location tracking: If you're using Windows 10 or any other version that contains location tracking, it's best to disable it or use it only when absolutely necessary. For example, if you want to know about the local weather or the various shops nearby, etc. To disable Location Tracking, go to Privacy> Location> click the Change button and move the slider from Enabled to Disabled.

9 - Use the Internet wisely: All of the security measures listed here would be rendered useless if you are not cautious while online. Therefore, be sure not to click on dangerous-looking links, download malicious email attachments or other downloads from the Web, avoid visiting suspicious-looking websites, and any other actions that current security practices deem unwise.

The Windows operating system is probably the best, which is why it is very popular and has a lot to follow - despite security threats. And there is nothing wrong with joining your favorite operating system. Just be sure to reinforce it with the right security products, such as Protegent360 Endpoint Security Software, and follow security best practices.

Phishing: Types, Scams, Attacks, and Ways to Prevent Them

Scams are an integral part of our digital world. Cybercriminals use hundreds of attack strategies, and phishing - or phishing in French - is one of the classic representations of this. Although the strategy is not new, Internet crooks continue to employ it with new variations.

The main source of phishing is spam. Skillfully crafted to manipulate their recipients, these emails are designed to bypass your email spam filters in order to appear in your inbox.

Above all, the “phisher” seeks access to confidential and critical personal information and corporate data. Bank details and passwords for access to the corporate network are therefore particularly coveted by scammers.

The many faces of phishing

Digital Bandits Use Different Types of Phishing Techniques.

1. Whale Phishing - the CEO Scam

Whale Phishing, or “whale” for “whale”, is a targeted phishing strategy that aims to hook the “big fish” of an organization. In line of sight: senior executives, directors, and other strategic collaborators. Also, before sending their emails, crooks study their subject from all angles. They personalize their messages by sprinkling them with key information about the organization. From an email address similar to the one used by the tax authorities or other government agency, the sender requests sensitive information or a money transfer. Overall, the email looks very professional, but because it targets smart, high-level people, it has a pretty low success rate.

2. Deceptive Phishing - Objective: to Deceive the User

Used for decades, this phishing strategy is classic. The spammer uses email addresses that are similar to real websites and large businesses - with one variation, which often goes unnoticed by the average internet user. The email asks you to click on a link that points to a bogus webpage or installs malware on your device. The goal? Hack your data and access your personal, secret, or confidential information.

3. Pharming - Insidious Operation of the Deflection

Pharming is another phishing strategy characterized by sending fraudulent emails from genuine sources (banks and social networking sites, for example). These emails urge you to take urgent action on one of your accounts, such as changing your password or taking security measures. The manipulation involves redirecting you to a dummy web page. If the web address used is identical to the source and seems in every way identical to the original site, it is because, with pharming, the crooks also intervene at the level of the  DNS cache. Once your login details are entered on the fake site, the crooks just have to hack your accounts.

4. Spear Phishing - Targeted Phishing

Spear Phishing is a targeted phishing strategy that targets a specific category of people. Emails sent directly to recipients impersonate an authentic source. It could for example be an educational institution or a bank. The use of logos and original signatures aims to reassure the recipient about the authenticity of the message. In the case of spear phishing, hackers have the same will as with other phishing strategies: to steal login information. And for that, they do not hesitate to manipulate the students of educational establishments and the customers of banking or merchant sites.

5. Phishing Attack via Google Docs

A large part of Internet users is dependent on Google applications, from the Play Store to Gmail. A single Gmail account makes it possible to use several Google services. Most of those who choose Google Docs use it to store documents and photos for convenience and security. This makes it easy to understand why Google passwords are a prime target for cyber crooks. These send emails to Gmail users to redirect them to their Google login page. However, once the password is entered, the scammer can access their account and all the stored files.

How to Protect Yourself From Phishing

Phishing is a widely used scam strategy, but not very powerful. We can therefore easily protect ourselves from it.

1. Double Check the Content of Your Messages

The content of most fraudulent emails has a number of flaws. Although the majority of phishing messages are addressed directly to you and use personal information to better trap you, this information is not complete. It is enough to observe carefully the subject of these e-mails to easily judge their authenticity.

Classic trap used by scammers: create a message that plays on the sense of urgency. Above all, stay calm and think before you act; you can only fall for it if you act in a rush.

2. Secure Your Identity

By opting for a VPN or virtual private network, you have an encrypted tunnel for all your online activities. This tunnel masks your identity and your original location; it allows you to connect through secure remote servers. By protecting you from prying eyes, your VPN eliminates any possibility of spying. This way, cybercriminals cannot access your information or your identity.

A strong VPN also protects your connection from malicious attacks; it protects and secures your existence online. Le VPN is a secure barrier that prevents phishing emails from reaching your device.

3. Check All Links

To avoid phishing traps, we recommend that you check email addresses and website links before clicking. Fraudulent addresses sometimes appear to be identical to the original addresses. But beware, they are not the same. For example, the Cyrillic alphabet can be used, and other alphabets feature Latin-like glyphs in current typefaces: the Greek, Armenian, Hebrew, and Chinese alphabets. With a sufficient number of combinations, a fake domain can be created and secured. It is then almost impossible to distinguish the true from the false. On the other hand, on sites where you must enter your passwords and other confidential information, favor secure HTTP (HTTPS) sites. Also, use endpoint security software for multi-layered protection.

Protect Google Drive Files From the Crypto-locker Virus | Antivirus Software

Ransomware affects cloud applications just as much as it affects local ones. This means that even if you got your cloud storage protected, it’s still not entirely safe. How come it is not safe? What will you do when you become a victim of ransomware? How do you protect your drive from it?

CryptoLocker viruses can easily compromise your files from simple actions, such as clicking on a link or downloading an email attachment. It spreads across all your data and starts to encrypt targeted files, leaving you with no choice but to “ransom” it. If you’ve automatically synced files to your Google Drive, then the uploaded data is now infected with ransomware.

When this happens, restoring your files may not always be easy, as the only way is going back to the revision history in your drive and work on it one by one. There’s no point in time restoration and you need to manually go through all the file revisions. 

To ensure that this does not happen to you, here are a few simple steps:

1. Secure a local antivirus software and do not rely on default computer antivirus.
2. Have a cloud disaster-recovery software that allows restoring files to a point in time.

Is Google Vault supposed to save a copy of your files that you can restore? Yes, it still allows you to save a copy of your emails and files for archiving purposes, but it is not designed as a disaster-recovery application.

How can we help you? The top two steps are available for free when you sign up with any of our Cloud Concierge support services. We manage your daily IT tasks, like maintaining your G Suite accounts, setting up users, domain name registration, antivirus, and disaster recovery, so your business is not at risk with ransomware attacks.

From time to time, it has been seen that people who run into a bit of a pickle and they've got a CryptoLocker or Ransomware it's called, infected inside their Google Drive. It probably started on one of your computers and encrypted all of the files on your computer and you know what a CryptoLocker virus is, these are the kinds of things that encrypt all your files and then you get stuck. You have to pay somebody a Bitcoin to decrypt them, it doesn't always work, it's not always guaranteed. And in the meantime, you're basically left to ransom without access to any of your business files.

This is obviously a bad situation and if you're in that situation right now, fear not there is help and there are ways that we can get things resolved, but it's not always pretty. So, if you're in this situation right now, you've got your business lockdown. What's probably first happened is you've opened an email, you've clicked on a website or someone sent you a file, which has then infected your machine. So if you're on a Mac or a Windows machine, step number one is to actually isolate that and completely clean things up. So if you've still got your Google Drive connected to that computer, sign out right now, that will stop any more synchronization from happening if this fire still exists on your computer. You definitely want to work with an IT professional to actually clear that out. And most professionals recommend a clean slate wipe of the machine so there is absolutely no way that it can get back on there.

The next question is how do you go about restoring Google Drive? What do we do there? Unfortunately, the only way to get those files back is to work with the version history of Google Drive and one by one restore each one of those files. It's not a pretty process and you have to do it individually because there's just no other way to bring those back. Google doesn’t have a point in time restore in Google Drive, and so that means that each individual file you need to open the file, go to version history and restore it to another version. You may have tens, thousands, even hundreds of thousands of files that need to be restored, and this can be a pretty crazy time-consuming process. If that's not something that you'd like to do yourself, then we have a service where we can actually help make that happen for you.

Now I want to talk a little bit about prevention and what you should be doing to make sure that this doesn't happen to you. If I've just scared the crap out of you around how you may have your business brought to a standstill by being infected with Ransomware or CryptoLocker, you really need to pay attention to make sure that you take these critical steps so that you won't be affected by this happening. Step number one is to make sure that your computers are secure with local antivirus. Yes, computers are self-updating and they do most of the maintenance themselves these days and there is a basic antivirus built into Windows these days, but it's not always effective in stopping different variants of Ransomware or CryptoLocker. There are solutions that we recommend, and I'll cover some of those off later in this video, but you need to make sure that you have that antivirus installed on your machine so your local computer is protected. That is your first line of defense.

The second thing you need to do is you need to make sure you have cloud disaster recovery software and that backup disaster recovery software is going to allow you to restore your Google Drive to a point in time if anything ever goes wrong with that. Those two steps are the best way of defending yourself against Ransomware or CryptoLocker holding your files hostage. Now you might ask, Peter, well, what about Google Vault? Isn't Google Vault supposed to save all of my files and save a copy of them so if anything ever goes wrong in the business, then we've still got a copy inside of the vault? Well, Google Vault is still definitely useful for business owners because it allows you to have a copy of any email or any file that's going in or out of the business and keep that in a safe location inside the vault.

However, Google Vault will only allow you to still restore files one by one. It's not really designed to be a backup and recovery solution, it's more an eDiscovery solution, that's the technical term for it, and what that means is it's more for archiving and not necessarily for backup restoration and disaster recovery.

So, a quick recap of the two things that you need to do. Number one is to have cloud antivirus on your machine and that cloud antivirus should be specifically tailored to Ransomware or to stopping CryptoLocker viruses. Secondly, you should have a cloud disaster recovery software that will allow you to restore your Google Drive to a point in time. Now both of these are available for free when you sign up for one of our Cloud Concierge plans. Cloud Concierge is a small business G Suite support service which allows you to not only have us take care of day-to-day low-value tasks, like maintaining your G Suite account, setting up new users, archiving users when they leave your business, but we also manage everything that you need to take care of small business IT. That means any virus, that means domain name registration, that means the basics like having backup and disaster recovery so you are not at risk if something like this happens for your business.

The next step in securing your account from the risk of a CryptoLocker or Ransomware attack is to make sure that you actually have the correct security enabled in the different areas of your G Suite account. That means things like switching on two-factor authentication, locking down the admin panel, and being careful about which emails are allowed to be sent to your domain. Making sure your DNS settings are correct, like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC can also be additional layers of protection to make sure the emails being received by your business are legitimate and that your email isn't being used for spamming or for spreading any of these viruses as well.

Google has great spam filtering tools built-in, but some things can still make their way through, so it's always a better idea to use the Google web interface than actually using outlook on your local machine because that's another way that viruses can find their way into your local computers. If you're using Chrome OS, so a Chromebook or a Chromebox, well, they aren't susceptible to ransomware or any of these kinds of viruses at all, so that will completely eliminate the risk of you being attacked by ransomware or anything else that may lockdown and hold your files ransom.

Our support membership also includes an audit of all of your IT systems so we can make sure that you are not at risk of having your files disappeared or having to go through a hundred thousand files and restore them one by one. If right now you're in the position where your files have already been locked down well, our team can help with steps to make sure that it doesn't happen again and guide you through the process of restoring those files in the best possible way to make sure that they don't become re-encrypted, because that is something that is at risk if right now you're stuck.

Protect Yourself From Digital Hijacking by Ransomware

Ransomware is increasingly gaining prominence among cyber threats because it infiltrates and blocks (encrypts) victims' access to personal files - including documents, videos, and photos. This attack occurs in the background so that the Internet user does not realize what is happening until it is too late. What makes this attack a problem is that the encrypted files are stored on the user's computer, but are inaccessible.

When the attack takes place, the malware informs the user that files have been encrypted and, if they want to recover them, it is necessary to pay an exorbitant amount, usually with bitcoins (virtual currency). Most users who suffer the attack do not have knowledge and experience in technology. Therefore, this problem becomes greater, as they will have to find out what bitcoins are and how to obtain them if they choose to pay the ransom. 

In today's INFO Mail, learn step by step how to protect your data and prevent ransomware attacks with procedures that are recommended by Protegent360.

1 Always make regular backups of your files. It is highly recommended to create two backup copies, one in the cloud (in Dropbox or Google Drive services) and the other recorded on a physical media (external HD or on a USB stick). It is important to give the “plan B” device viewing or reading permissions so that no one will have the possibility to modify or delete the files.

2 Periodically check that the backup is working. There are times when a failure in an accidental way can damage files.

3 Cybercriminals distribute fake emails posing as online stores or banks to entice the user to click on a malicious link that distributes the malware. This method is known as phishing. To avoid it, there is a need to improve your spam settings and never open an attachment sent by an unknown email.

4 Do not trust anyone. Malicious links can be sent through social networks by friends, co-workers, or some gaming partners who have already been infected in one way or another by cybercriminals.

5 Enable options like “Show file extension” in the Windows platform settings. This will make it much easier to distinguish potentially malicious files. As Trojans are programs, the user should keep an eye on files with extensions like .EXE, .vbs, and.SCR.

6 You also need to be aware, as many types of files that look common and familiar can be threats. Cybercriminals can make use of several extensions to mask malware in the photo, video, or document files.

7 Regularly update your operating system, browser, and also other programs that are used in an essential way by each of the users. Criminals tend to exploit vulnerabilities in order to compromise systems and updates will correct existing gaps and flaws, increasing security.

8 If you notice a clandestine or unknown process on the machine, interrupt the internet connection. Hopefully, the ransomware didn't have time to erase the encryption key on the computer, which gives it a chance to restore files. However, it is worth mentioning that the newest versions of ransomware have managed to infect several machines even offline.

9 If the files are encrypted, do not pay the ransom unless instant access to some of your files is critical. Every payment only fuels this illegal business that will thrive the moment people are caught in this scam.

10 If the device is infected, the user should try to find out the name of the malware: it may be an old version and relatively simple to restore the files. Ransomware was less advanced years ago. Always use one advanced security software such as endpoint security software.

Antivirus Works. Types, Functions and Their Limitations

The protection of a good antivirus application is essential to maintain the security of any computer system. That is why it is worth knowing how an antivirus works, what its functions are, and also its limitations.

Antivirus software tries to cover the main forms of attack on your device, be it a computer or a smartphone, and not having any kind of protection, knowing how an antivirus works, is foolish since there are many threats that you can find browsing the Internet or copying files to your device.

Currently, it is possible to find good free antivirus.

Antivirus must be updated frequently to ensure protection against the latest threats. Almost all antivirus can be configured to update automatically, it is advisable that this option is enabled

How an Antivirus Works

All antivirus act in the background, inspecting every file or page that is opened on the device where they are installed.

Antivirus Software uses three methods to protect the system:

1. Analyze our files by comparing them to a database of malicious software or programs
2. Monitor computer files as they are opened or created to ensure that they are not infected. This is real-time protection against viruses, which can affect system performance.
3. Periodically inspect the entire system to verify if there are corrupt files and eliminate existing viruses, in case they could have entered your computer.

The antivirus compares each file on the hard disk with a dictionary of known viruses. If any piece of code in a file on the hard drive matches the virus known to the dictionary, the antivirus software kicks in, taking one of the possible actions.

Types of Antivirus

Basically, antivirus is divided into several categories, depending on the function for which they were designed: prevention, identification, or elimination of viruses.

1. Preventive Antivirus, which fulfills the function of anticipating infection by intercepting and analyzing all data input and output operations. This type of antivirus, to perform its task, must be installed on the disk and reside in the computer's memory, so they tend to consume a considerable amount of resources that in the end slow down the computer.
2. Identifying Antivirus, whose main function is to identify threats that may already be active in the system. To achieve its mission, this type of antivirus analyzes all files on the computer in search of byte strings related to malware.
3. Decontaminating Antivirus, whose purpose is to eliminate an infection when it has already occurred and attacked the computer. Many of these antiviruses will also try to revert to the state before the infection occurred.
4. Heuristic Antivirus, which acts as a simulator, that is, they pretend the launch or the usefulness of various programs to observe their behavior and identify possible suspicious situations.

In general, modern security solutions combine these three types of antivirus, also integrating other functionalities.

Antivirus Functions

• Repair the file. The antivirus tries to repair the infected file by removing the virus.
• Put it in quarantine. The antivirus will try to provide protection against the virus, making programs inaccessible to this file, preventing its propagation and execution.
• Delete the file. The antivirus removes the file. If it cannot be removed from the file, it will always ask us first if we want to do this.
• Analyze the behavior of system files. In this case, the antivirus will monitor all the programs that are running on a system. For example, if a program tries to perform a suspicious activity, such as writing data to an executable program, the antivirus alerts the user of this fact and informs him of the measures to take.

One of the advantages of scanning files for suspicious behavior is that it offers protection against new viruses for which no information is yet available and is not part of the list of known viruses.

When a new virus is created, antivirus software companies analyze its characteristics, how to eliminate the virus (if possible), and update the database with this information to ensure that the antivirus can detect new threats.

On the other hand, it is very common for these types of programs to incorporate other types of features that allow them to expand the security they offer, such as:

• Firewall. It acts as a barrier between the computer and the Internet. It is used to control who accesses the information stored on the equipment and what information comes out of it.
• Analyze web addresses (URL's).  It allows you to check if a web address links to a page that contains viruses or if, on the contrary, it is safe.
• Email protection. Scans incoming and outgoing emails to verify they do not contain viruses. They usually include an antispam filter to prevent "junk mail" from entering the inbox and an anti-phishing filter to detect attempts to impersonate trusted pages, banks, public administrations, prestigious companies, etc.
• Antispyware. Capable of detecting and eliminating spyware, that is, those that are installed in the computer or device in a hidden way in order to know the user's browsing habits, passwords, and other data, which could later be transmitted to an unauthorized entity.
• Anti-pop-ups. Its main objective is to prevent the opening of annoying pop-up windows that may appear while browsing the Internet. Various spyware can be hidden in some of these windows.
• Backups. Make backup copies of the most important documents stored on your computer.

Limitations of Antivirus

Antivirus programs, despite being constantly updated and offering more and more features, also have certain limitations when it comes to keeping your computer system safe.

Therefore, when selecting an antivirus you must bear in mind some of the tasks that basic antivirus does not perform:

• They do not prevent Spam, which must be examined with specific Anti-Spam software.
• They do not prevent direct attacks from a hacker on the system.
• They do not prevent criminal activities online. The antivirus is not capable of preventing these actions.

Despite its limitations, you should never stop the antivirus operation because it will leave your system more exposed to external attacks.

In the same way, if you do not update your antivirus with the latest virus definitions available on the Internet, the software will become practically useless, since it will not be able to detect or eliminate the most recent viruses.

Having an antivirus installed on your computer almost always means that your computer slows down a bit, that is, it works slower than it should. This is mainly due to the fact that antivirus programs use a lot of system resources.

A general rule of thumb in this regard is that the more functions the antivirus provide, the more resources such as RAM and CPU cycles it will use. Our recommendation will be total security as the best functional antivirus with less cost

How to Work Safely From Home During the Quarantine | Endpoint Security Software

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, public health experts are calling on everyone who can work from home. As our offices are emptied and we go into home quarantine, we don't have to sacrifice security for personal safety. You can stay safe and connected while you wait for the coronavirus crisis at home.

Here's everything you need to keep your home secure and track down any scammers that might target people working remotely from their home quarantines:

1. Keep Your Home Network Safe

If you work from home (and you should!), Your home network should protect both your personal and professional life. Make sure it's up to the task.

The minimum will be to protect your router with a password if you haven't already. Next, try these additional steps:

Disable broadcast SSID. This will make it difficult to find your home Wi-Fi network (for those who don't need one)

Filter MAC addresses. A MAC address is a network name assigned to a specific device. If your router supports MAC address filtering, it will be much more difficult for any unauthorized device to even try to connect to your router.

Set up a guest network. The Guest Network is the second network you can create on your router for visitor devices. Depending on your router, you can apply different security rules for two different networks. In this case, protect your home and work devices with the strictest security guidelines and leave a friendly ruleset for guest devices.

Install a VPN on your router. If you've set up adequate Wi-Fi encryption on your router, you can set up a VPN on your router. This has unique advantages and disadvantages.

2. Use a Separate Device or Account to Work

It's better to keep your personal and professional devices and accounts separate. This way, if one account or device is compromised, the other remains safe.

If you are working on a computer, chances are you can do it on a laptop. This will be your best bet as it will already contain all the security tools your company could provide.

You can also use a separate user account on your home device. However, make sure you have all the applications you need to work safely. If you rarely log into this account, it is imperative that you update all your software before getting started. Older versions may be incompatible with your colleagues' software, and important security updates may be missing.

3. Use Corporate Cybersecurity Tools

There are many different tools that can help protect employees when they work from home. One of the simplest and most powerful Protegent360 endpoint security software for Individuals. 

Many other solutions are also available. Personal tools - from secure browsers and browser extensions to secure messaging apps - help you and everyone else stay safe. Before leaving your office to set up a convenient home quarantine, ask your system administrator if there is anything you should install first.

4. Encryption of Confidential Files in Transit and in Storage.

Your company's central servers and networks may be secure (hopefully), but when all employees work from home, anything can happen.

Luckily, there are tools out there that allow you to encrypt sensitive files both at rest and while they are being sent. Regardless of where you work from or where you send your files, they will be safe if you encrypt them. By linking your account with your colleagues, you can ensure end-to-end encryption of your most important files.

5. Stay on Top of Cybersecurity and Social Engineering

Hackers and crooks know that many companies will send their workers home, so they will try to exploit the situation in any way they can. Conversations that you once could have face-to-face with colleagues will now take place online, making them easier to use.

Read about the different forms of social engineering and phishing so you know what to look out for. Now more than ever, scammers will try to impersonate your colleagues or managers in order to force you to abandon confidential company information. You will find plenty of advice in the links above, but here are some basics:

Double-check the sender. Was the instant message you just got from your boss sent by John.Doe or John_Doe? Which one is right?

Do not download or click on anything until you are sure the sender is legitimate. Even so, you might want to check with your colleague before doing anything particularly delicate, like sending a large money order.

Maintain redundant communication channels. If you are not sure if your colleague's account is spelled correctly, call them and check again. If you're going to download or click something in your colleague's email, consider sending them messages first. This will make it harder for false messages to hit the target.

6. Avoid Public Wi-Fi

The best reason to avoid public Wi-Fi right now is that you should avoid public places and travel, period! However, if you must exit, you must take all precautions - both for your health and for your cybersecurity.

Public Wi-Fi is always dangerous, as it is much less secure than private Wi-Fi and is much more likely to be connected to (or manipulated by attackers, as is the case with the evil dual hotspot). Wi-Fi isn't the only danger in public places. Here are just a few of the other threats you may face when working in public:

USB chargers. Usually, a USB charger is just a charger. However, sometimes public chargers can be equipped or jailbroken with hardware or software that can install malware on your device or track your communication. Stick to those you trust at home.

Screen spies. If you usually work in an office, you can openly discuss sensitive or confidential topics. By working in public, you can pass this information on to someone looking over your shoulder. You will eliminate this risk by working from home alone or with people you trust.

Don't forget, however, that your physical health is of utmost importance! Public health experts say staying away from public places will keep you healthy, and we think that will keep you safe as well.

Basic Tips for Working Safely From Home

During the days, many companies ask employees to work remotely. Working remotely can introduce some new security issues, especially for users who are not working in the office.

Here are some tips to help you run more reliably on home computers (WFH).

Choose a Good Work Area

There are plenty of tips here on how to choose a space that is comfortable for you and what you can minimize, but there are other safety guidelines as well.

• Choose a personal space. If you work from home, this may be easier than if you work in a cafe or library. Pick a place where people can't draw "cure". See your opinion on what's on the screen.
• If you're having trouble finding a personal place to work, you may be able to get a privacy filter. This is a protective panel that attaches to the screen and makes it difficult to read the contents of the screen unless you are directly in front of it.
• If you have conference calls or video meetings, keep in mind if other people can eavesdrop even if they weren't available to other people. Even if you are wearing headphones (especially in some cases). Other people can still hear voice communication when dictation. Make sure you are using meeting software with advanced security features.
• Do not allow family members to use your work devices. If you want to switch from your device to the kitchen or bathroom, lock your device so other users can't see what you're working on. Press Windows Logo key + L on a Windows device or Control + Command + Q on a Mac to quickly lock the screen. After you return, you will have to quickly enter it and everything should be right where you left it.
• Use only encrypted business Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi encrypted with WPA-2 is more secure than Wi-Fi access. If you work from home, make sure you are using your home Wi-Fi network and all home routers support encryption.
• If you need to access resources, such as servers, that are on your organization's network, use a VPN (virtual private network) connection to connect to your Office account. VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for network traffic and makes it even more difficult to intercept traffic. If you are unsure if your company supports a virtual private network (VPN) or how to connect to it, contact your IT support staff.

Data Protection

If your device is available or borrowed, what can you do to reduce the amount of data they can receive.

• Use strong authentication to access the device, such as Windows Hello. PIN, fingerprint or face, if supported by the device.
• Now you can think about what passwords you are using. If you are using simple passwords such as "funny" or "password1", now is the time to upgrade to a more secure password. "Length" is more important than complexity, although both have roles. The password must be at least 12 characters long and not in English, as well as in the dog's name. You can use a phrase such as your favorite Lyric song, movie sentence, or poetry to create a long, complex password, but easy to remember. 
• Make sure local drive encryption is enabled, such as BitLocker. Thus, if your device is lost or stolen, it becomes difficult to access local data.
• Make sure that your device has security updates and that you have anti-malware software, such as Total Security Software, running.
• Use a modern browser and make sure you are using the latest version.
• Store your files in a secure cloud location, not on a local drive or removable media. Secure cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive for work or school means that even if a physical device is lost or stolen, your data is still available to you and your company.
• Wherever possible, use the web version of your applications, such as Word, Outlook, or Excel. In addition, you can store your files in a secure cloud location, since when using the web version of the applications, your data remains on the server and is not downloaded to your local device.
• Stay connected with the company while you work with remote contacts. Your IT department may have special requests or create new tools. If you suspect that your device or your data has been compromised in any way, notify them immediately so that they can investigate the situation and take steps to prevent unnecessary damage.
• Now, wherever you are, Temptation can use unapproved funds or store data outside of company resources. If you don't want your job done, ask the IT department, or Supplement your own control route. It is possible that you find systems that are not performing well if you are not in the office. Now is the perfect time to make sure you can work on these issues together.
• Phishing messages and phone calls alert. Criminals try to take advantage and uncertainty by sending an email that appears to you from authorities or company executives to Lure to try to open malicious links or provide personal information.
• Never click an attachment you didn't expect, even if it sounds familiar. Before opening an attachment, you can always check it to make sure you like it.

Covm Ransomware Encrypts Documents, Images, and Other Files and Forces Users to Pay a Ransom to Restore Them

Covm Ransomware

Covm Ransomware - a crypto virus that blocks common files in order to blackmail its victims. This ransomware belongs to the DJVU malware family and is quite identical to all other versions that appeared in May 2020. These specific versions of the ransomware family were announced by Michael Gillespie, who has investigated the behavior and activities of the  STOP ransomware since it was created. Unfortunately, the tool that helped a lot of victims recover their data is no longer useful. The STOPDecrypter decoder it was quite useful when virus writers used IDs offline. This feature allowed investigators to recover several files, using the ID obtained from the victims. At the moment, this option is not used because, during the summer of 2019, malware creators updated their code processes, starting to use powerful encryption algorithms and using online IDs instead of offline keys.

These changes affected the functionality of the Covm ransomware and left few options available to victims. Additionally, the cybercriminals behind the virus family are known to release new versions weekly. All of these versions are similar, so researchers are able to determine specific malware quite easily and quickly. However, there are still no suitable options for decryption. Unless you find the version that uses keys offline. In such cases, Emsisoft has the decryption tool DJV Decryption tool, potentially capable of recovering files for some people. If you want to try the tool, you need to know if your ID listed in the ransom note _readme.txt ends in “t1”, which indicates an offline ID.

The text file appears on the system when the encryption process ends. The text in the file is a ransom note that informs victims about possible solutions and contact information (helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@firemail.cc), the ransom amount ($ 980 or $ 490), and methods for obtaining cryptocurrencies, as it is the preferred method of receiving money. However, experts point out over and over again that this is not the best solution, because the creators of ransomware are focused only on receiving the money, and powerful hackers, as members of this group, do not care about their files or other belongings. The likelihood is minimal, if not null, of receiving your files again after payment, so it is advisable to correct the damage caused by the virus, exterminate the Covm crypto virus,

The Covm ransomware uses the AES-256 encryption algorithm that allows this threat to encrypt documents, images, audio or video files, and other specific files. If you do not have copies of the affected files, the unfortunate reality is that the recovery of encrypted data is impossible. Sometimes, researchers can recover some files, but this ransomware is too powerful to find a solution easily.

Covm ransomware mainly runs online to access the AES-256 key, and since these IDs are stored on remote servers, criminals need to establish an online connection during each encryption process. This is the difference between offline IDs and online IDs. Unfortunately, online IDs are more promising for victims, since the same key is used for at least some victims and in different versions.

Since the Covm ransomware is an updated version, the solution involving decryption tools is not possible. However, paying the amount required by the ransom note is also not the best option:

The creators of the Covm ransomware obtain payments and promise the decryption tools and keys needed to complete the recovery process. However, these promising messages should not be taken seriously, because any contract between you and these extortionists can cause even more damage and the permanent loss of files and money.

The elimination of the Covm ransomware is the step you need to take as soon as you find the message from the criminals. The faster you eliminate this threat, the better. However, it can be difficult to eliminate the virus, due to changes made to the system and the ability of the malware to disable certain important functions. Restart the machine in Safe Mode and run your antivirus software to identify and remove all components of the malware.

You need to remove Covm ransomware as soon as possible and use reliable anti-malware tools because the crypto virus can infiltrate the machine, encrypt your data and continue running in the background to damage the performance and vital features of your system. The virus is introduced via email or other methods that allow malicious files to enter, so you will not be able to be sure if this threat is the only one to affect your system.

Recent reports have reported that Covm ransomware and other threats of this type have a tendency to distribute trojans to monitor and collect sensitive data from victims, potentially used in the future for other scams. Anti-malware tools are able to scan every corner of the system and find traces of the virus, related malware programs, or payload files and backdoors.

This is not the method capable of helping you with the restoration and recovery of files and data encrypted by the Covm ransomware. File recovery is only possible through backup copies and programs from other entities, designed specifically for this purpose. However, remember that ransomware can affect files in the following folders:

% System%.

% system32%.

% Roaming%.

%Local%

% AppData%

% LocalLow%.

% Temp%.

% ProgramData%.

%Windows%.

When files in such locations and directories are damaged, altered, or affected by the Covm ransomware, system functionality is corrupted and some of the operating system's functions cannot be used to restore files or perform other security tasks. You should use Reimage or another different repair tool on your PC and repair the damage, recover system files and registry entries.

Then, you can freely choose your file recovery method, a tool created specifically to recover data and restore data changed by the Covm ransomware. We have provided some additional tips and programs at the end of this article. You can also find more workarounds for decryption tools. 

Main Methods of Crypto-malware Infiltration

Computer infections, in most cases, depend on naive people who do not pay due attention to details and ignore some important steps or signs of suspicious material online. You can receive an email from a suspicious sender and not ask too many questions before deleting the notification. However, there are users with a tendency to read all these unwanted emails and download all files attached to the messages.

Unfortunately, this type of behavior causes infections and allows malicious payloads to infiltrate. Criminals intend to send seemingly legitimate files, such as invoices or other documents so that people are motivated to click on the links or download malicious Microsoft Office documents filled with malicious macros/codes. In any case, the most used methods include even more sinister techniques.

Often, people intend to cheat and look for pirated software, including crack tools, cheat codes for games, and free licensed versions of certain tools. It is these people who enable the success of torrent websites, where malware is prevalent. When you do not trust the sender of an email or the source of the material you install, you should consider the potential for malware infection. The family of this virus is able to distribute threats as executable files or DLLs included in pirated data. Stay away from anything at risk. 

Remove Any Traces and Damage Caused by Covm

Since the Covm ransomware is a serious threat, and the 227th version of the infamous malware family, based on the remaining versions and testimonies of several victims, payment is not an ideal option. If you found the virus on your device, try restarting your system in Safe Mode with Networking as soon as possible and download anti-malware tools on another device. 

When adding SpyHunter 5 or Malwarebytes to an external device, you can perform a full system scan of the affected machine and complete the elimination of the Covm ransomware. This automatic method is able to find and display all potential intruders and eliminate them from the machine. No specific or advanced computer skills are required.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to exterminate the virus manually. In fact, it is possible, but it will take too long and can be quite dangerous if you don't know exactly what to do. Fortunately, there are several tools that can remove Covm ransomware and help you repair the damage caused by the virus. After cleaning the system, run Reimage, and repair any damaged functions or files on the system. Then you can try to recover your data safely, directly on the computer.