The Threat of Malware Continues to Grow

The Threat of Malware Continues to Grow

The Threat of Malware Continues to Grow

While not everyone has felt the threat of malware directly, the number of businesses attacked is on the rise. In WatchGuard’s Internet Security Report, new research shows that credential-stealing malware is a top threat and growing. This comes as no surprise for those of us using logins and the web daily.  

At the same time, we cannot stop our daily job functions because of these malicious attackers. Instead, doing your due diligence, as well as understanding the current cybercrime landscape and ways to protect yourself will put you ahead of the game before it’s too late. Solutions, such as WatchGuard, are making it easier for businesses to strengthen their security. 

WatchGuard Technologies CTO, Corey Nachreiner, has made some predictions of his own for 2019: “In short, next year, attackers will start to experiment with malicious chatbots to socially engineer victims. They will start with basic text-based bots, but in the future, they could use human speech bots to socially engineer victims over the phone or other voice connections.” 

I know what you’re thinking: I cannot afford a technology of this caliber. Solutions like WatchGuard provide low management, support, upgrade and replacement costs. WatchGuard offers an array of services on their devices that will allow you to meet all of your security needs and compliance regulations. 

WatchGuard APT Blocker works in tandem with WatchGuard Gateway AntiVirus for the ultimate solution in detecting and preventing advanced malware. If the file passes the Gateway AntiVirus* scan, a hash of the file is sent to the APT Blocker cloud sandbox to determine if it is a known threat. If the hash of the file is not recognized, APT Blocker prompts the Firebox to send the full file, which is executed in an environment that simulates physical hardware for comprehensive threat analysis. Administrators are then alerted if the file is suspicious with a threat rating. 

WebBlocker identifies the requested URL and then sends a query to the cloud to classify the URL category and sub-category. The Firebox either allows or denies access to the URL, based on policy settings, including user, group, and schedule. Avoid slow connection speeds and network bottlenecks caused by cyberloafing. With WebBlocker, you can easily block or limit non-work-related web activity to ensure adequate bandwidth is always available. In combination with WatchGuard Dimension, you can quickly diagnose the problem and set policies that will ensure your business is running at top speed. 

Networks of infected computers, known as a botnet, are used by cybercriminals to attack or infiltrate specific targets. Unsuspecting employees can inadvertently join botnets after falling victim to a drive-by-download or cleverly crafted phishing email. With WatchGuard’s Botnet Detection integration into Reputation Enabled Defense, organizations gain real-time visibility into infected clients and are empowered to quickly act. Reputation Enabled Defense reviews the destination of outbound connections and identifies the threat level based on intelligence feeds. Using the returned threat score, known threats are blocked and safe destinations are allowed, with a bypass of Gateway AntiVirus to increase network performance.

Want to know more? Reach out to someone on our team at is@vervenetworks.net

 

Verve IT - Managed IT Services for the Central Valley