Anti-Virus Measures: Importance, Precautions, and Key Points for Corporations

In today’s Japan, with its advanced information technology, IT devices such as PCs and smartphones have become indispensable tools for corporate activities. While IT devices and the internet are extremely convenient, internet crimes, including computer viruses, are also frequent and require countermeasures.

This article provides a detailed explanation of “anti-virus measures,” one of the countermeasures against internet crime. Let’s examine the necessity of anti-virus measures, precautions when implementing them, and methods and points for taking measures to implement countermeasures against internet crime.

What are Anti-Virus Measures? Why are They Important?
1. Examples of Computer Virus Damage
Precautions Regarding Anti-Virus Measures
1. Multiple Software Installations Can Cause Problems
2. Software Installation Can Slow Down Performance
3. Personal Software May Be Insufficient
[For Corporations] Key Points for Anti-Virus Measures
1. Implement Corporate Software
2. Keep Software and OS Updated to the Latest Version
3. Consider Endpoint Security
4. Reduce Network Load
5. Thoroughly Educate Employees
Summary

1. What are Anti-Virus Measures? Why are They Important?

Anti-virus refers to measures to detect and appropriately remove viruses and malware that invade and damage computers. A typical measure is “installing anti-virus software,” but anti-virus also includes the concept and literacy to prevent virus infection and spread.

Computer viruses and malware are types of malicious cyberattacks that can cause significant damage and impact if infected. Let’s review examples of damage caused by computer viruses and reaffirm the importance of taking anti-virus measures.

1-1. Examples of Computer Virus Damage

There are many examples of crimes that abuse the internet, and the methods are becoming more sophisticated. Here are two examples of damage related to computer viruses that corporations are prone to encounter.

[Example 1] Customer information registered during material requests was leaked

If there are weaknesses in information security due to server misconfiguration or insufficient vulnerability countermeasures, the possibility of malicious cyberattacks using viruses and malware increases. Leakage of customer information, which is personal information, leads to a decline in the company’s social credibility and brand value.

[Example 2] Internet banking information for the company’s account was stolen

In recent years, in addition to phishing scams, there has been an increase in methods that infect users’ devices with viruses to display fraudulent pop-up screens and steal entered account information. Be aware that passwords and account numbers may be collected and the account may be used fraudulently.

If anti-virus measures are not taken, there is a risk of damage such as “stolen information being misused” or “infection spreading to other devices, business partners, and customers.” In order to conduct business with a sense of security in terms of security, and to protect the company’s social credibility and trust, anti-virus measures should always be taken by the organization.

2. Precautions Regarding Anti-Virus Measures

Some people may be considering using anti-virus software (virus countermeasures software, security software) as an anti-virus measure. It is important to understand the precautions when implementing anti-virus software measures.

Here are three precautions regarding anti-virus measures.

2-1. Multiple Software Installations Can Cause Problems

When installing anti-virus software, avoid installing multiple software and limit it to one type. It is often thought that installing multiple software will increase the detection rate of viruses and malware, but it may cause problems.Anti-virus software checks all processes from startup to shutdown in the background. If multiple anti-virus software are installed, they may interfere with each other and cause troubles. There is also a risk that one will block and eliminate the other as malicious software.

2-2. Software Installation Can Slow Down Performance

Depending on the specifications of the device such as a PC or tablet, installing anti-virus software may put pressure on the capacity and slow down the operation. If you are using a relatively old model or using many other software and applications, the possibility of the operation becoming slow will be higher.

However, even though there is a possibility that the behavior will be heavy, the option of “not taking anti-virus measures” should be avoided. Let’s prepare the hardware so that anti-virus measures can be taken, such as replacing the PC with a new model.

2-3. Personal Software May Be Insufficient

Anti-virus software is available for “personal” and “corporate” use. With personal anti-virus software, the company cannot centrally manage the security status or check the update status.

If personal anti-virus software is installed, each employee needs to properly update the software in order to take sufficient security measures. However, since not all employees can do this perfectly, the risk of insufficient security measures increases.

3. [For Corporations] Key Points for Anti-Virus Measures

Many of the information and data required by the company are stored on the PCs and servers used by the company. In order to protect such information from virus infection and prevent damage from spreading to other devices via the internal and external networks, corporations need to further strengthen security measures.

Here are five points to consider when corporations are working on anti-virus measures.

3-1. Implement Corporate Software

Even if the number of devices used by individuals is at most several, corporations need to take security measures on dozens or more of devices and servers. Since there is a limit to personal software, it is recommended to purchase corporate software, applications, and security services.

Corporate software is equipped with a function to centrally monitor and manage the security status of multiple devices. If you are using smartphones and tablets for work, select software that provides comprehensive security support for mobile devices.

3-2. Keep Software and OS Updated to the Latest Version

In order to protect the device from virus infection, it is also important to update the anti-virus software and OS (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.) as appropriate and keep them up to date. If each employee needs to update the software and OS, the security manager should notify them by email.

Some people avoid updating because of reasons such as “the usability changes,” but there is a risk of infection with viruses that cannot be handled by the security of the old version. Make them understand that it will cause trouble for the company and set up penalty rules to ensure that they respond.

3-3. Consider Endpoint Security

Endpoint security refers to the technology to protect devices such as PCs and smartphones from threats such as viruses.Anti-virus software powerfully scans for known viruses and malware, but may not be able to fully identify new types of viruses and malware. On the other hand, endpoint security products can detect suspicious behavior even when unknown viruses and malware have invaded, or encrypt and protect data in the device. If you want to take measures with higher strength, introduce endpoint sec
urity.

3-4. Reduce Network Load

Updating anti-virus software tends to put a load on the network. There is a risk of troubles such as network delay, connection failure, and performance degradation, so try to reduce the network load.

The following are some methods to reduce network load. Check the software you are using and the situation in your company, and select the appropriate method according to the situation.

Use communication modes properly
Use a Group Update Provider (GUP) to have a representative device download update data and distribute it to multiple devices

3-5. Thoroughly Educate Employees

In recent years, there have been increasing cases where employees are targeted by viruses and malware as a foothold for launching cyberattacks on corporations.

It is important to take security measures to protect PCs and servers, but it is also important to improve the information literacy of employees who handle devices. Thoroughly educate employees on security through initiatives such as “regularly conducting information security training” and “raising awareness through in-house emails.”

Summary

Anti-virus measures to prevent the intrusion and infection of harmful viruses and malware are important measures to protect the property and social credibility of corporations. Take security measures by keeping in mind the points such as “introducing anti-virus software for corporations” and “updating to the latest version.”

For companies that want to implement anti-virus measures that support endpoint security and create an environment where they can work with peace of mind, we recommend introducing “EXO Security.” With a simple and smart system design, it can be expected to reduce management tasks and cost burden, and we encourage you to consider EXO Security, which can comprehensively respond to all threats.

For inquiries, please contact globalsupport@jiran.com.