7 Best Policies to Limit Malicious Web App Downloads at Your Company

We live in a digital world where hackers and mischief-makers do all they can to break into your system and cause havoc or steal information. San Jose businesses need to protect themselves from these vicious attacks.

Sadly, many employees are unwitting pawns in downloading and installing dangerous malware and viruses. Companies become slack in their protections, thus allowing malicious programs to sneak through, often without their knowledge.

Managed IT services San Jose businesses can count on can help with keeping your computer systems safe. We have put together some tips that you can do to help limit the possibility of getting worms, viruses, Trojan horses, and malware in your system.

1. Use Anti-Virus Software

One of the easiest ways you can prevent attacks from infiltrating your system is to use anti-virus software. The software has a database of malicious programs that they scan and recognize in your system.

Once they have identified the bad programs, they can quarantine them, and you can authorize them to destroy them. Hackers are constantly coming up with new viruses and other programs, so it’s important you keep the database up to date.

The occasional new virus can slip through, so it’s important that the software is only the first step in an overall preventative program for malicious software and code.

2. Teach Your Employees About Cybersecurity

As we mentioned before, employees are often used to transmit the malware into your system. Hackers use professional-looking emails and links that look official to trick employees into downloading the code.

Once the code is in the system, it can run rampant and cause all kinds of trouble from the inconvenient to the fiscally devastating. San Jose businesses should teach their employees to not trust suspicious emails, open attachments, or click on links they are unfamiliar with.

If they see something suspicious or are not sure, have them contact a manager or the IT department. It is better to be safe than sorry.

3. Take Away AutoRun and AutoPlay

Everyone flips through their Facebook feed and watch the videos that auto-play as you pass. Many times, they are cute commercials or videos of cats playing. They seem completely innocuous, but if any of these are infected with malicious code, then just watching it could infect the computer and then your entire system.

These features should be disabled because the employee may not even want to watch the video, yet it just automatically starts. Disabling these features at least makes it an employee’s responsibility to click on the video. Ideally, they understand where it is coming from.

While surfing social media channels is common for many people, try to discourage it on work computers and on work Wi-Fi networks.

4. Change Passwords Regularly

People hate creating new passwords, especially if they must be strong passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols. It is a pain, but it can also save your system from a hacker. Hackers do not just use malicious code to infiltrate your website and system.

They have programs that can try different passwords repeatedly. If you have a password that is not strong, then they can guess it and break into your system. Many people change passwords after a hack, but it is better to regularly change passwords for your protection.

If you have many different passwords for various programs, then you can use a password program that saves them. These programs are secure and can hold all your passwords.

5. Keep All Programs Updated

We talked about how anti-virus databases are constantly updated with new viruses, but all your programs need regular updating. Professionals test these programs looking for problems and security vulnerabilities.

These vulnerabilities can be exploited by hackers. In response, the developers send out patches that fix these vulnerabilities. It is important that you enable these patches as soon as possible and limit the time hackers have to access the vulnerabilities.

It is easy to hit skip on updates because it interrupts the flow of the workday, but it is worth your time. All it takes is one hacker to break in and take down your entire computer system. It costs you revenue and productivity.

6. Use Firewalls to Block Malicious Traffic

In the world of information technology, the best offense is a good defense. If you are worried about your employees accidentally infecting your system, then install a firewall to keep attacks out of your system for good.

A firewall blocks malicious traffic before it gets to your system. Many operating systems have a firewall to protect it, but it often needs to be enabled. Many businesses have the opportunity for a firewall but do not even know it.

Firewalls keep an eye incoming traffic and if it seems suspicious will not let the user access it at all or only if they understand the possible consequences.

7. Use Managed IT Services San Jose Business Trust

All these methods demand the business owner keep up with everything. You are responsible for the updates, the training, and more. Using a managed IT service, you get the expert protection of IT professionals who are versed in the latest in virus and malware protection at your beck and call.

They can keep track of everything you need and make sure you are protected to the max. If something does happen, then you have immediate access to experts that can help you navigate a virus infestation or problematic malware on your servers.

Managed IT services make financial sense and you always maintain peak protection. Do not risk your business success because you forget to update a program or are not aware of the latest virus outbreak.

Protect Your Business from Hackers and Malicious Code

Your computer system and website are vital to the running and success of your business. When a hacker breaks in and takes it down for a few hours or a few days, it could be devastating to your business. Do not risk your business and use managed IT services San Jose businesses trust.

If you want to learn more about our managed IT services, then please feel free to contact us.

Sagacent Technologies offers technology management and support, including proactive/preventative maintenance, onsite and offsite data back-ups, network and security audits, mobility solutions, disaster planning, and emergency business resumption services. The company serves clients of 10 to 150 employees within the Silicon Valley region.