Common Myths About Antivirus: Are You Really Secure?

Despite constant warnings from Cyber Security experts, many still believe that antivirus software is enough to protect Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, as cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, relying solely on basic antivirus protection can leave your defenses vulnerable.

Let’s debunk the common myths about antivirus solutions and explore why advanced cybersecurity measures are essential for protection in today’s digital era.

Myth 1: “Any Antivirus Software Will Do”
Many people think that any antivirus software is enough to keep their computer safe. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Most traditional antivirus programs rely older technology which only identifies known threats. Since hackers are constantly creating new types of malware, these basic antivirus programs can easily miss out on the latest threats.

Myth 2: “Antivirus Protection is One-Time Setup”
Some people believe that once they install antivirus software, they’re done. But that’s a misconception. Cyber threats are always evolving, and your antivirus software needs to keep up with these changes. Without regular updates and continuous monitoring, your antivirus can quickly become outdated, leaving your computer vulnerable to any new threats. Hence, it is important to ensure that your antivirus has a valid subscription and is kept up-to-date.

Myth 3: “Antivirus Software Can Stop All Threats”
Thinking that antivirus software can protect you from every threat is a dangerous belief. Hackers use various tactics, like phishing and zero-day attacks, which many traditional antivirus programs might not be able to detect.

For example, phishing attacks trick you into revealing personal information, bypassing basic antivirus defenses. Zero-day attacks exploit unknown vulnerabilities in software, making them difficult to detect with standard antivirus tools. Although Antivirus software is the basic every device should have, it is not enough and certainly doesn’t stop all cyber threats!

Myth 4: “Free Antivirus is Enough”
Free antivirus software might seem appealing, but it often falls short. These programs usually lack advanced features such as real-time threat detection, behavior analysis, and ransomware protection. Without these essential capabilities, free antivirus software may leave your computer vulnerable. Relying on it may give you a false sense of security and leave your system exposed to serious risks.


NuMonitor: Elevating your Cybersecurity

1. “Any Antivirus Software Will Do”
NuMonitor goes beyond traditional antivirus programs by having the capabilities to detect new threats and malwares using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and frequently updated cloud-based machine learning models.

In addition, its Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) feature blocks potentially unwanted applications, detects suspicious behaviors, and automatically terminates malicious activities. It goes beyond by blocking risky DNS requests, quarantining threats, and offering alert management, execution control, and the ability to schedule and run ad-hoc scans. This advanced features provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of cyber threats.

    2. “Antivirus Protection is One-Time Setup”
    NuMonitor has Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM) feature, offering a centralized platform that ensures that all devices are patched and secured. On top of that, it also provides insights of device health and activity reports, ensuring that your protection remains current and effective.

    3. “Antivirus Software Can Stop All Threats”
    NuMonitor’s robust Managed Detection & Response (MDR) feature offers real-time 24/7 threat monitoring and advance threat detection, intrusion monitoring, breach monitoring and threat hunting capabilities. It is designed to handle advanced threats that traditional antivirus solutions may not. This advanced feature addresses various tactics such as phishing and zero-day attacks.

    4. “Free Antivirus is Enough”
    Unlike free antivirus solutions, NuMonitor’s Ransomware Detection feature offers ransomware detection using behavioral analysis. Infected devices are automatically isolated to stop the spread of ransomware. Combined with the Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) feature, this comprehensive approach offers superior security and minimizes vulnerabilities that free programs often miss.

      Antivirus software is just one small piece of the essential tools needed to protect against sophisticated cyber threats. As we always say, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

      Real-Life Case Studies

      Consider the case of a mid-sized retail company that fell victim to a sophisticated ransomware attack. Their basic antivirus software failed to detect the malicious payload, resulting in a complete shutdown of operations for several days. The financial impact was severe, with losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

      In contrast, a manufacturing firm that subscribes to NuMonitor avoided a similar fate. NuMonitor is designed to detect irregular patterns of activity that indicate a ransomware attack before any significant damage occurs. It isolates the affected device to prevent the ransomware from spreading across the network to other PCs and workstations. Users are promptly alerted of the attack, and with 24/7 real-time monitoring and advanced threat detection, technicians can remotely access the infected device, eliminate the ransomware, and then safely reintegrate the clean device back into the network.

      Conclusion

      It’s clear that relying on basic antivirus protection is not enough in today’s threat landscape. The myths surrounding antivirus software can lead to complacency, putting your business at risk. Don’t wait until it’s too late, upgrade to our advanced antivirus services and secure your business against the ever-evolving cyber threats.



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      Nucleo Consulting