Antivirus and malware protection guide for business

Protect your business from malware: A comprehensive guide to antivirus.

Reading the headlines, you’d think cybercriminals only go after big companies. But for every high-profile breach and hefty fine that hits the news, there are countless attacks on smaller businesses that never make the front pages but can be just as devastating.

The harsh reality? Being small doesn’t make you invisible – it makes you vulnerable. In fact, 60% of small to mid-sized businesses have faced at least one cyberattack, and 63% have faced advanced threats like ransomware. And with 76% of attacks happening after hours or over the weekend, it’s crucial you can defend yourself around the clock.

While we’re beavering away at work, there’s a minute-by-minute battle for data supremacy behind the scenes. Over 500,000 new pieces of malware are detected every day, while four companies fall victim to ransomware every minute. But if malware is the villain of the piece, antivirus software could be our digital hero.

But when was the last time you thought about your antivirus software? If it’s been a while, it’s time to take another look. Today’s cyber threats are smarter, faster, and more relentless – and it’s crucial to keep up.

We’ll identify hidden threats targeting your business, highlight the must-haves, and help you choose the best antivirus software.

What is malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, is greedily eyeing your business. From viruses that replicate and spread, to sneaky spyware that secretly monitors your activities, and even ransomware that holds your data hostage, malware comes in various disguises.

If it finds its way into your systems, it can wreak havoc. Imagine data breaches, financial loss, system crashes, and damage to your reputation. So, it's crucial to understand malware’s devious nature and take proactive steps to protect yourself.

What types of malware are there?

While the ever-changing nature of malware makes it impossible to stay entirely up to date, some common types include:

Viruses which replicate themselves and spread from one device to another. They can corrupt or delete files, disrupt operations, and bring your entire system crashing down.

Worms are like viruses but can spread without interaction. They quickly infect multiple devices, causing network congestion, data loss, and system instability.

Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software or files, fooling you into granting them access. Once inside, they open the door for cybercriminals to wreak havoc.

Ransomware locks your files away until you pay a ransom, often in cryptocurrency. It can paralyse your business, cost you money, disrupt operations, and expose your valuable data.

Spyware secretly monitors your keystrokes, tracks your browsing habits, and steals sensitive data, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft, privacy breaches, and unauthorised access to confidential business information.

Adware may be less devastating, but it’s still a nuisance. It bombards you with unwanted and intrusive ads, often bundled with legitimate software. Adware can slow down your systems, compromise privacy, and redirect web traffic.

What is antivirus software?

Coming to save the day, though, is antivirus software – also known as anti-malware software. Antivirus software protects your digital assets by scanning files, apps, and internet traffic to identify, quarantine, and remove threats like viruses, malware, and ransomware.

Armed with smart algorithms and virus signature databases, its real-time protection sniffs out the first signs of malware, actively preventing infections to create a safer digital space.

Antivirus software continually performs several important jobs. It scans systems, files, websites, programmes, - and incoming files like downloads and emails – to spot known malware signatures or patterns, and compares them against its extensive database of known threats.

When it detects a threat, it quarantines or removes the malicious files. It may even repair or remove any infected files to prevent more damage. You can also schedule system scans whenever you want or set up regular intervals for automatic scans. And to make sure you’re always on top of the latest threats, most software regularly checks its manufacturer for updates.

Which antivirus is best for malware?

Finding the right antivirus software may sound like trying to stop a flood with a single sandbag, but most are very effective in preventing multiple attacks. In the digital arms race, antivirus experts are matching their malware counterparts toe-to-toe, regularly providing patches and updates to keep gatecrashers locked out.

What to look for in antivirus software

Choosing the best antivirus software isn’t about the most popular. It’s picking one that works for your business. Here’s what you should be looking for and some suggestions about who might benefit most:

1. Browsing protection

The internet is full of traps waiting to catch you out. Browsing protection blocks dangerous sites before they infect your system, keeping your team safe online.

Example: E-commerce, marketing, remote workers and media businesses – anywhere people are constantly browsing or using online tools.

2. Phishing and scam detection

Phishing is getting craftier every day. Your antivirus needs to detect and block these and other scams in real-time.

Example: Businesses handling sensitive data. Think financial institutions, healthcare providers, or companies that rely heavily on email.

3. Reliable firewall

A firewall monitors networks to keep bad stuff out while allowing trusted traffic in. Look for antivirus software that includes or integrates with a solid firewall.

Example: IT firms, larger offices, and businesses with complex networks or multiple locations.

Read our guide to protecting yourself with a firewall.

4. Virus cleanup

Catching a virus isn’t enough. You need to wipe out every last trace. Virus cleanup mode fully removes threats and restores your systems to their pre-infected state.

Example: Retailers, logistics companies, financial services and any business that can’t afford a second of downtime.

5. Minimal memory use

No one wants a sluggish system. Look for antivirus software that doesn’t hog memory or drain resources.

Example: Design agencies, tech startups, or any business running memory-intensive software.

6. Frequent updates

Cyber threats evolve by the hour. Your antivirus software needs regular updates to stay ahead of the game.

Example: Fast-moving industries like IT, tech, and finance, where you can’t afford to fall behind.

7. Efficient malware scanner

Your malware scanner needs to be fast and effective – able to catch threats in real-time without missing a beat.

Example: Any business with sensitive customer data, such as healthcare, legal or finance, where even a minor breach could cause serious damage.

8. Backup options

Ransomware hits hard. Built-in backup options can get you back on your feet fast, helping recover data quickly without having to pay.

Example: Anyone who works with sensitive data, especially finance, healthcare, or e-commerce, where data loss could be devastating.

9. Parental controls

They’re not just for children. In business, parental controls help you block access to risky or inappropriate websites, reducing exposure to malicious links.

Example: Any businesses with shared networks where you need to control internet access.

Free antivirus software often lacks the complete protection you need. By following these tips, you can invest in a solution that offers ongoing support, safeguards your systems, and provides peace of mind.

What to be mindful of when it comes to antivirus software

It’s important to not rely solely on anti-virus software, but to be mindful of other cyber security principles for digital safety.

We’ve seen news stories of state-sponsored or activist groups using custom-built malware to bypass security. And even though most businesses, especially SMEs, are an unlikely target for such a sophisticated hack, malware evolves fast.

‘Zero-day’ threats are new malware that strike before antivirus protection has caught up, while some malware is ‘polymorphic – constantly changing its code or behaviour to evade detection.

Antivirus also isn’t foolproof. Now and again, it can wrongly identify a legitimate file as a threat, causing disruption and delays. And while some antivirus is free, stronger protection often comes with a price tag.

But despite the odd downside, compared to the potential costs and reputational damage of an unprotected business, it’s money well spent.

How else can I protect my business against malware attacks?

There’s a lot you can do manually to support your antivirus software:

• Check for regular software updates. While some software automatically checks for updates, a regular, manual search will make doubly sure you’re up to speed with protection. Updates aren’t just about adding shiny new features. They’re vital for closing security gaps. Keeping your operating systems, apps, and antivirus software up to date across all company devices is one of the simplest ways to stay protected. Skipping an update, even for a short time, can leave you exposed to malware waiting to exploit outdated software.

• Always use a firewall, intrusion detection systems or security information and event management (SIEM) software as an extra line of defence to monitor and control network traffic.

• Carry out regular cyber security training, so your people recognise suspicious email attachments, malicious links, and untrusted websites, and know what to do if they spot or accidentally click on them. When one careless click can cause a costly breach, training your team to spot phishing attempts, avoid suspicious downloads, and stay alert to cyber threats is essential. Regular training sessions keep everyone sharp, informed and aware of cybercriminals’ latest tactics.

• Check websites are secure. Before entering any sensitive information, always check for "https" in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar. It might seem obvious, but phishing sites are becoming more convincing every day. Make sure your team knows to look out for these signs. If something feels off, don’t click, spread the word and alert your IT team.

• Back up your data. Make it a habit to back up your data regularly. Even if your business doesn't have automatic backups in place, manual backups, stored in a secure location, can restore your data following an attack. Ransomware can lock you out of your own systems, but regular backups mean you won’t lose everything if the worst happens. Back up everything – from client files to financial records – and store it securely offsite or in the cloud. Set up automatic backups so you’re not relying on memory. Cybercriminals aren’t picky. Whether you’re running a small business or a large corporation, you’re a target. But you don’t have to be an easy one. From securing your passwords to backing up critical data, follow our 10 tips on staying safe online.

• Apply strong access controls and choose strong passwords. Think about unique user accounts, password policies, and restricted access to sensitive files. Weak or recycled passwords are a glaring security risk that too many businesses still overlook. Secure every account with a unique, complex password that mixes upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. To make it easier to remember, turn a meaningful quote, memory or phrase into a secure password. For example, "I love pizza" could become "I#l0v3p1zz4"- easy to recall, but tough to crack. If keeping track of these sounds like a hassle, invest in a password manager that creates strong passwords and stores them securely.

• Use a secure, virtual private network (VPN), put two-step authentication in place, encrypt sensitive info and always carry out regular security audits. Learn more about the importance of VPN for your business.

• Be wary of public Wi-Fi. With more of us working remotely, public Wi-Fi can be a criminal playground. These networks are typically unsecured, making it easy to intercept sensitive information. Whether you’re working from home, cafés, airports, or anywhere with public Wi-Fi, always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection. Discover how to secure your employees’ phones.

• Review privacy settings. You’re probably using multiple platforms – social media, cloud storage, email and more. But when was the last time you checked your privacy settings? It’s easy to forget, but ensuring you share the minimum amount of data is crucial. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings across all your platforms, and limit access to sensitive information wherever possible.

• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Adding an extra layer of security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an easy and effective way to keep cybercriminals out. Even if a password gets compromised, an additional verification step, like a fingerprint or one-time code, makes it much harder for them to get access.

• Monitor employee access. Not everyone needs access to everything. By limiting access based on job roles, you reduce the number of potential weak spots in your network. Regularly review who has access and why, create clear guidelines, and set up alerts to catch any suspicious activity.

Download our handy checklist below.

Find out more about preventing cybercrime and fraud.

For more support on malware or antivirus software, speak to one of our V-Hub Digital Advisers and discover the best options for your business.