Malware
Malware is a term used to describe malicious software that is designed to harm computer systems, networks or devices. The term incorporates a wide range of malicious software such as viruses, worms, trojan Horses, ransomware and spyware – all with one thing in common, to gain unauthorised access, steal information, disrupt business operations or damage systems.
It is a very common type of cyber threat but can wreak havoc on any computer or network for any business or organisation, large or small, stealing sensitive information such as passwords, personal or financial data or destroying networks and systems.
Malware works by exploiting any vulnerabilities that may exist in your system or network, usually taking advantage of poor (or no) cyber security protocols or human error. As your dependency on technology and software increases, so too does the threat from malware. Not every penetration of your network will not result in immediate attack – some lie dormant for a period of time until they are triggered by a particular date and time.
Your company may be at risk!
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4 Main Types of Malware
Viruses
Often spread through infected email attachments, downloaded files or infected software, viruses are malicious programmes that can replicate themselves and infect other files on a computer.
Trojans
Disguise themselves as legitimate software often tricking users into installing them. They can be used to steal data or to offer criminals control of your networks.
Ransomware
Encrypts your files making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom.
Spyware
Designed to steal sensitive information by monitoring activity on your computer.
LoughTec currently provides cyber support to a number of businesses and organisations in a variety of industries throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We support enterprise scale organisations with £500m turnover and small companies with a more regional focus, all through the implementation of our LoughTec Security Operations Centre (SOC)
How can you protect your business from malware?
Malware can access your networks through any number of methods:
- Email attachments
- Image downloads
- Advertisements
- Peer-to-peer file sharing
- USB drives
- Through other software or applications
With such a variety of threats it is important that you consider the following:
- Use antivirus and anti-malware software – make sure that they update continually and scan 24/7
- Keep all of your software up-to-date across OS, web browsers and security software
- Implement strong passwords – insure that passwords are updated and changed regularly.
- Make sure that you have an appropriate and effective firewall
- Training – make sure that your employees are aware of the threats, what they look like, how they behave and their potential impact
Whilst anti-virus, anti-malware and firewalls are all designed to offer your business protection, the levels of protection will vary from vendor to vendor. The malware only needs to breach your system through one endpoint or an infected download to cause significant damage. Make sure that you have the right protection and that you fully understand all weaknesses.
Security Operations Centre
How the LoughTec SOC can protect your business?
The LoughTec SOC is responsible for detecting, analysing and responding to security incidents in real time delivered through software, technology and (human) security analysts. In addition to 24/7 monitoring and management, the SOC helps organisations maintain
security policies and procedures, deliver training and provides regular reports on our customers security posture.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1.
No obligation, no cost initial consultation to review your current security protocols, enhanced potential requirements and your main concerns.
Step 2.
Deploy the LoughTec System Security Scan for a deep dive on your current cyber posture as well as your threat risk score and analysis.
Step 3.
Review all findings and create our joint cyber security action plan to mitigate the potential risks.
Step 4.
Implement the required tailored cyber improvement plan and resolution actions for your business.
Step 5.
Ongoing LoughTec account management updates with additional training and support tools and plans available.
Remember cyber threat is a real and constant – there is a good chance that you have already been hacked. If not yet, you definitely will be. It’s important to know that your network is being monitored 24/7/365 – just like you would for your property or plant.
Cyber protection is an investment, not an expense – the LoughTec SOC can protect your most valuable business assets from as little as from as little as £4/day.
For more information and to book a free no-obligation consultation email
Get in Touch with Loughtec Cyber Security
Customer Success Stories
Don’t just take our word for it
“The deployment process was quick and seamless, and was completed across all our endpoints in a couple of days. The reporting from the SOC is essential for us. It gives us a demonstration of its value for money. We can show our directors and management, ‘these are the types of attacks that have happened or attempted to happen, and this is how the system is paying for itself.’
What price can you put on the loss of your data or your business being down for a significant amount of time?”
Brian McCabe, Global IT Manager
“Our business was the victim of two hacking incidents – one in which our IP address was ransomed and we were invited to pay in Bitcoin to release it. The other was an email spoofing incident, where one of our clients was contacted by an unknown source claiming to be us.
“I would strongly suggest an IT security audit, as a minimum starting point for any business. It gives results and advice on things that you would not ordinarily consider in terms of your cyber security.
“The LoughTec Security Operations Centre (SOC) helps protect our IT infrastructure, protecting our business and our data.”
Yvonne Conway, Project Manager
“LoughTec is one of the leading Cyber Security systems providers worldwide and our research highlighted that they provide one of the most advanced file upload malware protection and detection solutions.
This partnership with LoughTec gives us the confidence and assurance that every file system uploaded through our platform is malware and virus free, allowing us to focus on our core business of selling property.”
Ebenezer Akintunde, Software Delivery Manager
Cyber Security
Our Clients
