Avg Antivirus 2016 Key Archives

From sophisticated ransomware and phishing schemes to increased compliance and GDPR challenges, partners share their thoughts.

SMB security took center stage this year as the threat landscape continued to deliver new surprises for businesses. IT service providers were challenged to find ways to respond quickly and cost-effectively to a wide range of security needs for a diverse mix of customers and limited budgets.

Heading into 2018, we don’t see this changing. Business customers will continue to turn to channel partners for security support and those that can respond very effectively to their needs, will be best positioned for success. We believe that to continue to be relevant in this changing market, security must be a core element in today’s service portfolio.

We’re not alone here. Channele2e recently asked Ingram CEO Alain Monié about 2018 and partner investment, and where he would invest his attention. Security was top on his list.

We asked a few of our channel partners to share their top security predictions for 2018.

What is your top channel or security prediction for 2018?

John Quatto,Zobrio

• We will see increased spending on security as well as increased regulation and compliance as cybercrime and data breaches present bigger liabilities for businesses and organizations. For example, our Zobrio local government clients are frequently asking us to meet directly with their insurance and risk management providers to ensure they have the best security protection in place.
• Managed services will continue to grow. Clients will rely on IT and security experts to fully manage their IT or supplement their teams.
• Solution consolidation will continue as channel partners like us look to reduce the number of solutions and vendors we work with to drive greater efficiencies. The channel will look for quality vendor partners that have multiple and effective solutions under one umbrella.

Charles Adney,RSM US LLP

• Signature-based antivirus/anti-malware software will continue to be less and less useful in protecting against the latest zero-day exploits and crypto-malware.
• Malicious actors will continue to target the SMB space for ransom.

Eric Gorman,Integrated Enterprise Solutions, Inc.

• I think we are on the cusp of MSSP for small businesses. We have to be given today’s cybersecurity threat. I would predict that there will be an increase in affordable MSSP solutions for SMBs.

Bob Ascherl, Advanced Technology Services

• I think we will see an increase in the innovation of ransomware threats with a focus on softer targets like youth and education sectors.

Erik Hanson,TecNet Canada

• Crypto will continue to get worse with the spike in the value of Bitcoins.

Phil Long,TechSolvers Ltd

• GDPR is going to have a big impact on UK businesses. We’re already getting requests from ourTechSolvers clients for specific services such as email encryption to prepare for this. For IT companies, this will also present another big challenge to manage. We are all waiting to see what will be ratified and signed, what this will look like, and what the requirements will be.
• Security patching will continue to be the way forward and we see this as half the battle for the IT guy.

Timothy J. Ollewagen,Silver Software Distribution

• Threats in 2018 will change in terms of their scale, taking the same amount of effort to hack a hundred people as it would for one hundred million. The bad guys aren’t necessarily innovating, they’re scaling.The scary reality is this goes beyond invasion of privacy or monetary loss as we could face the very real risk of loss of life if national transport networks, traffic lights, medical equipment in hospitals – all generally controlled by computers – are attacked.  
• Insurance companies will become a positive catalyst for companies adopting better network security practices. We will expect to see more companies taking up cyber insurance due to their lack of expertise and increasingly severe financial implications of cyberattacks, especially ransomware attacks which are rising exponentially. Insurance companies will also provide financial incentives for security improvements.

Luke Walling,Network Security Group

• No organization is too small to be the target of a ransomware attack; expect the unexpected and take a multi-layered security approach that includes best-of-breed endpoint solutions and more.
• Phishing schemes will get increasingly more advanced going beyond the W-2 CEO spoofing tricks of 2016 and 2017.
• With the ever-rocketing price of electronic currencies like Bitcoin, expect more malware to be delivered that turns your business network devices into coin-mining machines silently without your knowledge.

Chris Bogan,Mark III Systems

• Security solutions will be even more user-friendly and this will also drive efficiencies for the channel in proactively securing businesses.

As we have seen through the great work of our partner community this year, the channel is in a great position toextend their expertise to help their SMB clients navigate tomorrow’s security landscape.

Take the time to set your business up for security success and be the trusted advisors your clients need in 2018. You’ll drive value, strengthen client relationships, and build solid partnerships.  

For more information about how to start prioritizing security in your services portfolio, download our white paperhere.  Or download a free trial of ourAvast Business Managed Workplace orCloudCare solution today.

Applies to:

Use Microsoft Intune to configure scanning options

See Configure device restriction settings in Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Defender Antivirus device restriction settings for Windows 10 in Intune for more details.

Use Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager to configure scanning options

See How to create and deploy antimalware policies: Scan settings for details on configuring Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (current branch).

Use Group Policy to configure scanning options

To configure the Group Policy settings described in the following table:

1. On your Group Policy management computer, open the Group Policy Management Console, right-click the Group Policy Object you want to configure and click Edit.

2. In the Group Policy Management Editor go to Computer configuration and click Administrative templates.

3. Expand the tree to Windows components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus and then the Location specified in the table below.

4. Double-click the policy Setting as specified in the table below, and set the option to your desired configuration. Click OK, and repeat for any other settings.

Use PowerShell to configure scanning options

See Manage Microsoft Defender Antivirus with PowerShell cmdlets and Defender cmdlets for more information on how to use PowerShell with Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

Use WMI to configure scanning options

For using WMI classes, see Windows Defender WMIv2 APIs.

Email scanning limitations

Email scanning enables scanning of email files used by Outlook and other mail clients during on-demand and scheduled scans. Embedded objects within an email file (such as attachments and archived files) are also scanned. The following file format types can be scanned and remediated:

PST files used by Outlook 2003 or older (where the archive type is set to non-unicode) will also be scanned, but Windows Defender cannot remediate threats detected inside PST files.

If Microsoft Defender Antivirus detects a threat inside an email, it will show you the following information to assist you in identifying the compromised email, so you can remediate the threat manually:

• Email subject
• Attachment name

Related topics

Why should you invest in antivirus software? Because there’s always someone out to get you.

Granted, it’s not a cure-all that will guarantee your online safety, but it will go a long way to helping you fend off any external threats that come knocking on your door.

The problem is, with so many on the market how do you find the one that’s right for you?

Well, the IT pros in the Spiceworks Community have put their heads together and come up with a list of their top 10 antivirus products.

This is what they came up with.

1. Malwarebytes

Since the beginning of 2016, the Spiceworks Community has reviewed Malwarebytes’ antivirus software and the verdict is clear: it’s a favourite among IT pros. It removes malware, blocks pop-ups and redirects, shields browsers and add-ons, offers ransomware protection, helps defend against zero-day exploits, and offers full end-point monitoring. It also offers a free version of its anti-malware software for Mac and PC.

2. Sophos Endpoint Antivirus

This offers web filtering, application control, and data-loss prevention tools. It is available as a cloud-based service and as an on-premises management platform. Sophos offers free trials of its antivirus solution; prices are available via quote.

3. Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus features malware detection, real-time analysis of unknown files, browser protection from unwanted extensions, and password management. It also offers paid antivirus solutions — Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, and Premier — that extend upon the core functionalities of its free package.

However, Avast Free Antivirus can only be used on personal, non-commercial computers. If you’re looking for a business alternative, you’ll want to look at Avast’s business offerings.

4. Webroot SecureAnywhere Business

Currently available on a free 30-day trial, this one features real-time protection, behavioural monitoring, cloud-based management, a rollback system, and real-time forensic logs. Its central dashboard is easy to navigate and policy creation is a breeze. It also offers a suite of other products for small-to-medium-sized businesses, enterprises, Internet of Things, and real-time threat intelligence.

5. AVG Free Antivirus

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition provides all the necessities, including a tool for scanning your hard drive and e-mail, as well as a real-time shield to prevent infections. By default, the application is set to search for new virus definitions daily, but you can also use the scheduling tool to change this.

AVG also offers AVG File Server Edition, AVG Antivirus Business Edition, and AVG Internet Security Business Edition. However, AVG Free Antivirus can only be used on personal, non-commercial computers. If you’re looking for an alternative, you’ll want to look at AVG’s business offerings.

6. Windows Defender

Built into the Windows operating system, Windows Defender is Microsoft’s free antivirus program. Recently updated in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, it brings limited periodic scanning to PCs. According to Microsoft, Windows Defender helps “protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats… [with] Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it’s detected.”

7. Bitdefender

With a simple interface and clean design, Bitdefender offers a free 30-day trial. It features zero-day threat protection, easy integration with other third-party security solutions, and combined antivirus and anti-malware protection.

8. AVG Antivirus Business Edition

Available with a free trial, AVG Antivirus Business Edition offers free support for mobile devices, remote management, a file shredder to securely delete files, a firewall, identity protection, a link scanner, ransomware protection, and more.

9. VIPRE Antivirus Business by ThreatTrack Security

This one includes integrated patch management to automatically update vulnerable software programs on your PCs; integrated Mobile Device Management to secure Android devices, iPads and iPhones; antivirus for PCs and Macs; a firewall; bad website blocker; anti-phishing and more.

10. Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business

With free trials available, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business features a unified management dashboard, anti-malware services tailored to file servers, mobile device management tools, encryption, security for email, and more.

MPM Computer Consultancy provides IT Services, Support and Training to sole traders and small businesses in Ipswich. Bury St Edmunds and surrounding villages.