Installing antivirus programs
The best defense is prevention. Organizations can block or detect many malicious attacks with a robust security solution or malware protection service, such as Microsoft Defender for Endpoints or Antivirus for Microsoft Defender. When you use these programs, your device first scans all files or links you try to open to make sure they are safe. If the file or website is malicious, the app will alert you and suggest that you do not open it. These programs can also remove malware from infected devices.
Implement advanced email and endpoint security
Prevent malware attacks with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 filtering that scans links and attachments in emails and collaboration tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Defender for Office 365, as part of Microsoft Defender XDR, offers threat detection and response capabilities to help protect against malware attacks.
Additionally, Microsoft Defender for Endpoints as part of Microsoft Defender XDR uses endpoint behavioral sensors, cloud security intelligence, and cyber threat analysis to help organizations detect, investigate, respond to, and prevent advanced threats.
Organize regular training
Hold regular training sessions to inform employees on how to spot the signs of phishing and other cyberattacks. They will need these security measures not only at work but also when using personal devices. With simulations and training tools, including attack simulation training, Defender for Office 365 lets you simulate real-world threats in your environment and assign training courses to users based on the results.
Cloud backup
When you move your data to a cloud service, you can easily back it up for safer storage. If your data is compromised by malware, these services can help you recover it quickly and completely.
Adopt a zero trust model
The Zero Trust Model allows you to assess the risks for all devices and users before granting them access to programs, files, databases, and other devices. This reduces the likelihood that malicious identities or devices will be able to access resources and install malware. For example, implementing multi-factor authentication, which is a component of the zero-trust model, reduces the effectiveness of identity attacks by more than 99%. To assess your organization’s readiness to implement zero trust, conduct an assessment.
Information sharing groups
Information sharing groups are often organized by industry or geographic location. They encourage similarly structured organizations to collaborate on cybersecurity solutions. By participating in such groups, organizations receive a variety of benefits, including access to incident response and digital expertise, updates on the latest threats, and tracking of public IP addresses and domains.
Offline backups
Since some malware will attempt to detect and delete any online backups of sensitive data, it is recommended that you keep an updated offline backup so that it can be restored in the event of a malicious attack.
Keeping the software up to date
In addition to keeping your antivirus software up to date, including automatic updates, it is recommended that you download and install other system updates and software add-ons as soon as they are released. This helps to minimize security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to gain access to your network or devices.
Create an incident response plan
Just as a home evacuation plan will help you act quickly in the event of a fire, an incident response plan will include effective measures to respond to various malware attack scenarios in the event of an attack, allowing you to return to normal and secure operations as quickly as possible.