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Before launching into a discussion on how an antivirus detects malware, it’s important to first understand the term itself; malware is an umbrella term for any type of malicious software. Malicious software can cost you time, lead to financial loss, and even cause emotional loss. Under this term, fall many different types of malware such as viruses, trojans, worms, rootkits, ransomware and more, all of which are categorized according to how they work, how they infect a computer, and their intent. 

**But how does my computer become infected with malware**?

There is no shortage of tricks used by malware authors to get you to download their malicious files.You might receive spam with an attachment that you open and that ends up installing malware on your PC, or you might end up with malware on your Pc via an infected removable drive such as a USB flash drive that you connected to your PC. You can also infect your computer when you download bundled software from third party websites or files shared through peer-to-peer networks.In general, downloading programs utilities, games, updates, demos, etc., from unreliable sources potentially puts your computer at risk. Malware can also infect your computer when you visit compromised URLs or webpages. However, the biggest offender is not having a powerful antivirus program installed on your system.

###### How antivirus software detects malware

Because there are so many different existing, new, and emerging types of malware, antivirus (AV) programs today must employ a multi-layer approach to detecting malware. The most widely used of these approaches are described below.

![](https://cms.reasonlabs.com/cdn/shutterstock_302765762-3233899535-1565535057857-300x226.jpg)

**Signature-based**. Signature-based threat detection is one of the earliest detection methods, but it is still widely used today. This method is similar to the method we use to identify criminals via their fingerprints. With signature-based detection, the AV looks at a virus’ digital code or signature and compares it against a signature database. If the digital code matches a signature in the signature database, it means that malware has been detected. The problem with signature-based detection is its reliance on known signatures to identify malware. This means it can only identify existing threats; it is ineffective in identifying new and unknown threats. 

**Heuristic****.** Heuristic detection examines files for suspicious-looking commands or instructions. Rather than looking at the virus’ signature, it examines samples of core code looking for established methods of virus programming. Detection of malware occurs whenever the AV detects one of these known methods of virus programming. Heuristic-based detection, while effective, also tends to turn up a lot of false positives.

**Behavior-based detection****.** As the name suggests, behavior-based detection searches for unusual actions or behaviors such as an application sending large chunks of data over the network or disabling security controls. Behavior-based detection can determine whether or not anomalous behavior poses a threat and can even detect previously unknown and new malware.

**Data mining****.** Data mining is one of the latest techniques used by AV programs. Data mining attempts to classify a file’s behavior as either malicious or benign by examining and analyzing its features against patterns in large datasets.

![](https://cms.reasonlabs.com/cdn/shutterstock_513585007-300x208.jpg)

**Sandbox analysis****.** The sandbox analysis method moves files to a secured environment, called a sandbox, and activates and analyzes the files there so they don’t expose the rest of the files to potential malware.

###### **The takeaway**

Antivirus software is your first and best line of defense against malware, but to be effective the software must rely on several detection methods as no single method can detect all the different types of malware. Only with a multilayer defense can antivirus programs fully detect and protect your data.

5AF0BB1A-5024-4AD4-830F-927B6B6A791B.jpeg

Start by Installing Reason Cybersecurity – **Get 70% Off Today**!
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Think about this for a minute: according to blackfriday.com, e-commerce sales this year are expected to **surpass $9 billion on Cyber Monday alone**. That’s a seriously hefty sum of money, which means that come Cyber Monday, those e-commerce sites are going to be seriously attractive targets for cyber criminals. That $9 billion expected jump in online sales is all the opportunity and incentive they need to use this popular shopping day to conduct their unscrupulous cyber crime campaigns.

![](https://i1.wp.com/blog.reasonsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/shutterstock_461355724.jpg?resize=505%2C336&ssl=1)

### Cyber Monday Sales vs Cyber Monday Security.

It also means that Cyber Monday is no longer just about online sales. Today, it is as much about cybersecurity as it is about cyber sales, making it incumbent upon businesses, large and small, to implement the necessary cybersecurity measures that will protect their data and their customers’ data.

### **Or suffer the consequences…**

Yes, that’s right, or suffer the consequences. According to financesonline.com, the average cost of a data breach for organizations worldwide has reached $3.92 million. Of course, the businesses that implement cybersecurity measures don’t suffer the consequences. Unlike smaller-to-medium-size businesses (SMBs), large enterprises have been relatively quick to embrace cybersecurity measures and technologies, primarily because the larger organizations have significantly greater resources and deeper pockets. However, there’s another more subtle reason why SMBs haven’t taken their cybersecurity more seriously; they simply don’t think they’re at risk.

![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.reasonsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/shutterstock_597009893-1-1719370827-1573644648118.jpg?resize=513%2C343&ssl=1)

### **Think again!**

SMBs are actually more vulnerable to cyber attacks precisely because they don’t devote enough resources to cyber safety. The statistics don’t lie: according to cnbc.com, **43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses**. And when attacked, the results aren’t pretty: **t**he average cost of cyber attacks on SMBs is a whopping $200,000. Furthermore, according to forbes.com, approximately **60% of SMBS that have to suspend operations due to a cyber attack never recover**. But financial costs are not the only costs incurred; intangible assets such as reputation, customer relations, and customer goodwill also suffer after a cyber attack.

### **So just how can SMBs benefit from cybersecurity?**

**Digital safety**. First and foremost, installing powerful antivirus software (AV) on your systems and network will protect your company data and your customer data. It will also ensure that your employees don’t inadvertently put your business at risk. For example, installing a solution that includes [ransomware antivirus protection and spyware protection](https://www.reasonsecurity.com/premium) can protect your business data from being held hostage by ransomware or stolen by spyware.

**Customer confidence**. Equally important, is the customer confidence inspired by proper protection against cyber breaches. When your customers and clients know that their welfare is your concern and that their personal data won’t be compromised, they feel more confident in your services and trust your products.

**Improved productivity**. Another added benefit is improved productivity. Viruses, worms, rootkits etc., can drastically slow down computers and bring work efforts to a standstill. Antivirus software will make this threat disappear.

**Keeps your website up**. Good cybersecurity can also keep your website from going down, which every business owner knows is a recipe for disaster. Infected systems or networks can force websites to close and closed websites equal lost transactions, and lost transactions equal lost income. Need we say more?

### **So what can SMBs do to protect themselves?**

**Install antivirus software.** Even with employees trained in cybersecurity, malware can sneak through. Phishing attacks are particularly successful. The Verizon 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) revealed that phishing was involved in 32% of confirmed breaches and 78% of cyber-espionage incidents, making it a top threat action. Antivirus software should be installed on all computer systems and the network to prevent phishing and other cyber attacks.

**Perform regular backups.** And the backups should then be stored at a location that is separate from the business location in case of fire or flood. The backups should also include all data on the cloud.

**Create a cyber awareness company culture.** Businesses can foster cyber awareness by educating their employees about cybersecurity best practices and company policies and protocols. Furthermore, employees must be informed if those policies and protocols change.

![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.reasonsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/shutterstock_400653328.jpg?resize=490%2C392&ssl=1)

**Enforce safe password practices.** The 2019 DBIR report also revealed that 80% of hacking-related breaches involve compromised or weak passwords, so strong password protocols are a must. Suggestions for strong password practices include creating passwords that have numbers, symbols, and both upper and lowercase letters, and changing passwords approximately every two to three months.

**Protect your business against supply chain attacks.** Third party and supply chain attacks occur when your business systems are compromised via an outside partner or service provider. Hackers search for the weakest link in order to slip their malware onto their target system. To protect your company, confirm that all of your vendors have the latest cybersecurity measures in place too.

### **Cyber Monday Sales vs AND Cyber Monday Security**.

As it turns out, businesses can have a successful Cyber Monday AND a secure Cyber Monday. There is no conflict between them when you implement the right cybersecurity measures. Of course, cybersecurity shouldn’t end on Cyber Monday. Effective cybersecurity requires constant vigilance. It also requires a cybersecurity company culture, and the right cybersecurity technology. But all of this is a small price to pay, and isn’t difficult to implement, when the return is the resilience and health of your business. In fact, you can start right now and take your first step toward cybersecurity by installing Reason antivirus software…

### **Take your first step towards cybersecurity with 70% off Reason Antivirus**.

[![](https://i0.wp.com/blog.reasonsecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Artboard-1.jpg?resize=470%2C294&ssl=1)](https://www.reasonsecurity.com/premium?offer=2831783737#plans)

#Malware

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How to Keep Your Business Safe on Cyber Monday.

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