Malware and hacking methods have evolved much — and will continue to do so — over the years. For this reason, you must treat cybersecurity not as a trend, but as a given. To keep your Virginia-based company secure, it’s important that your IT system is equipped with these cybersecurity tools:

#1. Firewall
Despite what its name may imply, a firewall is far from being a rigid wall. It’s best compared to a door, which you can open to permit access to websites, users, and programs you trust, and close to keep inappropriate content, malware, hackers, and other cyberthreats out of your system.

Most new computers have built-in firewall software that offer adequate, albeit often generic, protection from common threats. Specialized firewalls like Cisco, FortiGate, and Sophos offer comprehensive security and extra features, such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), that improve their performance and make them better suited for combatting new and evolving cyberthreats.

#2. Anti-malware software
True to its name, anti-malware software is specially built to protect your system from malicious software or malware. It scans for malware that may have already penetrated your network through downloaded files, installed programs, or compromised storage devices, among others.

You can find free anti-malware software that offers basic protection from most known viruses, Trojans, worms, ransomware, and other types of malware. These are great for individual users, but may not suffice against targeted malware attacks, most of which hit small businesses. Full enterprise anti-malware solutions from makers like Kaspersky and McAfee are the better option because they offer comprehensive threat coverage and extra features suited for the needs of businesses.

#3. Anti-phishing tools
Phishing tricks people into giving up private information, downloading malware, or doing both. It’s usually spread through spam and suspicious emails, although some attacks have occurred through Facebook and other messaging channels. Some phishing attacks disguise themselves as trustworthy communications and are convincing enough to fool even executives in big companies.

Phishing is one of the most common types of cyberattacks against businesses, so you need good anti-phishing software in your arsenal. Phishing emails usually have sender email addresses and destination URLs that mimic legitimate domains to make themselves look convincing. Anti-phishing solutions like modusCloud examine the domain names in your emails and root out those that look suspicious.

4 Cybersecurity Tools

#4. Encryption tools
Encryption tools conceal your data, making it difficult for third parties to read or access the information without a special key. In many cases, the key is a password, although the system may also require other authentication methods, such as a fingerprint.

Some encryption tools encode your data as it is transmitted from your end to your recipient’s, and vice versa. Other tools encrypt the contents of your hard disk. This is especially crucial for work laptops, which, when lost, could be used by hackers to access sensitive details about your business, such as financial and customer information, as well as trade secrets.

One good example of encryption is the system built into the latest MacBooks and MacBook Minis, which can only be unlocked using the user’s fingerprint. Another example is BitLocker by Microsoft, which encrypts a section of your hard disk or the entirety of it.

How can you find the best cybersecurity tools for your business?

Finding the right tools for your business can be difficult — you already have tens of options in anti-malware software alone. Keep in mind that the first thing you need to do is to uncover your business’s needs. The best tools are those that meet these needs and fit within your budget.

You can also turn to managed IT services providers (MSPs) for help. At Tech Squared, our team is composed of experts in cybersecurity. We can help you match your business’s needs with the right solutions. And because we believe in how crucial your staff is to your network’s security, we can also help your workforce follow best practices and develop a cybersecurity-conscious workforce culture.

Discover how else managed IT services can benefit your business by downloading our eBook today!

 

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