Malware threats and infiltration are quite common these days. It has been around for decades, and as technology advances, hackers or cybercriminals have transformed their ways, making it possible for them to penetrate security defenses. Now, despite the efforts of businesses and organizations to protect their data privacy and security, we can’t deny the fact that a data breach can still be probable.
Generally, endpoint security is the practice of protecting end-user devices, or “endpoints”, from any range of cyber threats. Its needs can vary depending on the network size and type. The link between the user data and intellectual property of a business can be taken advantage of by hackers through any endpoint. Thus, it is paramount to keep your endpoint security up-to-date and malware-proof.
The real question is, how do we know it’s time to update your endpoint security? Here’s a run-down of some other warning signs of an infection that can indicate an immediate course of action.
Warning Signs of a Possible Malware Breach
Disconnected/Disabled Security Tools
Since malware is designed to get around security defenses, it can cause some of your security tools to be disabled. As a result, hackers can continue to feed on your company’s private information without you knowing it until the damage grows, compromising your business as a whole. If your antivirus or security solution doesn’t seem to work, never ignore it. The best thing you can do is to reboot your computer, double-check the settings, restart your security software, and follow troubleshooting steps indicated on the manual. If unsure, you can contact your software tool’s support for further assistance.
If these steps won’t work, then, it is most certain that your computer is infected with malware. When things get worse, the manual removal of the malware to restore your security measures is required. Surely, you don’t want this to happen. Thus, prevention of malware infection is of utmost importance.
Ransomware Messages
If you’re unfamiliar with ransomware messages, these are messages that demand people to pay a certain amount in order to get important files back. At all costs, do not fall for this trap. A number of companies, particularly, their employees have fallen victim to this threat and have cost multiple companies a huge amount of money, not to mention, their valuable private information being compromised.
When you receive a message with a similar content, be sure not to open it. You will not actually receive one if your endpoint security is up and running to begin with. It will continue unless you reboot-to-restore software to return hardware to its established configurations. It is equally important as well to schedule maintenance as a backup.
Annoying Pop-ups Everywhere
Needless to say, pop-ups are annoying. One moment you’re checking your email, and before you know it, you’re already watching a suspicious ad. When you experience this, it is an indication that your security system has been breached. If ads are popping out of nowhere and happen more frequently, then, it can mean a huge problem has occurred. Keep in mind that ads are often used as a spyware, designed to record your personal information and make money from selling it. Or, it can trick you into buying a certain product that would encourage you to have it installed in your computer.
As this starts to happen, be sure not to click any of the ads. Immediately check if your security software is up-to-date, and quickly run a malware scan. Once detected, remove these threats to avoid further damage.
Slow Computer Functionality
In connection with pop-ups appearing everywhere, once malware is detected, the functions of your computer will deteriorate. Your hardware will dramatically slow down and crash if there is a malware threat present. Aside from that, you may encounter the Blue Screen of Death on a regular basis and that is not good at all.
As soon as you experience this, ensure to perform comprehensive scans in order to determine what’s causing this issue. It may be a hardware problem, or a result of a malware infection. In this case, a multi-layer security system would be beneficial to monitor and alert you in real time when there are security threats penetrating your computer.
Suspicious Online Account Messages
Probably, you’ve heard a lot of people online sharing their experience about being bombarded with messages of a dubious nature from their friends or colleagues. Yes, this has been a common issue these days and you should be aware of it.
If ever people you know receive messages from your online account, whether from your email or social media accounts, and you did not send any message at all, then your account has been hacked. When this happens, check your sent folder to see if the message was actually sent from your account. If it did, immediately log out of your account across all devices you’re using – phones, tablets, computers, etc. Then, change your password and be sure to use a stronger one that includes special characters, lowercase and uppercase letters, and numbers.
What To Do Moving Forward
Taking a proactive approach to guarantee a malware-free security system starts with enhancing your protection with multiple layer security. Remember, as technology progresses, so does malware and other malicious threats. Make it a habit to keep your defenses strong, scan everything you install and ensure you keep your passwords safe. On top of that, guarantee that your endpoint security solution is up-to-date and updated always. By doing so, organizations can take one step more in keeping their networks safe.