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Upgrade Your Endpoint Protection

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Most malware and virus protection takes the form of an endpoint protection solution that resides on each PC or Mac. As the system accesses files, the content is compared against a database of malware profiles. These types of solutions are failing more frequently as the number of malware variants skyrockets and the threats get more sophisticated.  Detecting malware depends more on analyzing file behavior patterns than it does the file content.

Cloud-based Alternatives offer Better Solutions

Traditional endpoint protection software is limited by the local device resources and the need to minimize performance degradation.  Instead of using a database with megabytes or gigabytes of information, cloud-based solutions compare file content and behaviors against terabytes of information, improving accuracy and dramatically reducing risks. The footprint on the endpoint can be significantly less, avoiding the performance impact of most endpoint protection software. Cloud-based endpoint protection solutions offer the ability to protect users across devices — PC, Mac, iOS, and Android — through a single system and management console.

Leveraging a cloud-based endpoint protection solution can improve your protection against current and evolving risks, at a more cost-effective price.

Our Recommendation

We recommend Webroot SecureAnywhere as our preferred solution for several reasons:

  • Webroot is better at catching behavioral malware, such as ransomware
  • Webroot can coexist or replace your current endpoint protection solution
  • Webroot can protect individual devices, or users across multiple devices and device types
  • Webroot has a small, secure footprint that does not create performance issues

And, we can offer you Webroot SecureAnywhere for 25% off the published price. Learn More.

Our Offer

Try Webroot SecureAnywhere for free for 21 days and let’s see if your current solution is missing any risks. If you like what you see, we can save you money on licenses and support.  If not, we discontinue the service.

Interested?  Let us know.

Security Alert: New Malware Wipes Hard Drives to Prevent Detection

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computerkey
As first published on ZDnet’s Zero Day Blog, Cisco System’s Talos Group has identified a new strain of malware that will render systems useless to avoid detection and analysis.

Named as the Rombertick strain, the spyware collects data on everything a victim does online, indiscriminately, without focusing on specific areas such as online banking or social media.

Most concerning, however, is the Rombertick’s built in defenses. If the virus detects that it is being analyzed it will attempt to overwrite the Master Boot Record, rendering the PC inoperable. If that fails, the virus will destroy all files in a user’s home folder by encrypting each file with random keys.

In short, once infected, it is nearly impossible to remove without rendering you PC useless.

As Rombertick infection rates are still low, the best protection is good security practices:

  • Make sure you anti-virus software is up to date and switch to (or add) a cloud-based AV solution with continuous updates.
  • Do not click on attachments from unknown senders
  • Block email attachments that include executable scripts or code

While these steps are helpful, a defense-in-depth approach is best at identifying and preventing malware, particularly for viruses that are designed to evade detection.

If you would like to verify the robustness of your anti-virus protection, we can add a cloud-based layer of protection at no cost for a month and help you analyze your results. Contact us for additional information.

Click these links to learn more about our Webroot solutions and additional data protection and security solutions.

 

Ransomware Still Crippling “Protected” Networks

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cyrptovirus
The rate of infections from crypto-viruses and other ransom-ware continues to rise. Even networks with traditionally strong malware protection are getting caught.

And while with good backups in place, it is possible to recover without paying the ransom, the process time consuming, frustrating, and expensive.

We outline the reasons for the broad failure of anti-virus/malware protection software in this prior blog post, providing 5 failings of most antivirus solutions.

Now, we are offering a risk-free way to assess if your malware protection is up to par.

The Offer

We will install Webroot Secure Anywhere Endpoint Protection, a cloud-based malware protection service that avoids the 5 failings of other solutions, at no cost for 30 days. Based in the cloud, Webroot will not interfere with your current protections.

At the end of the 30 days, you will see what malware, if any, was caught by Webroot that your existing solution has missed.

If your existing solution is not up to par, and you want better protection, we can activate a full subscription to Webroot for you $18 per year per device or less (more than 25% off).

Simply contact us if you are willing to see if your protection is enough, or if you would like more information.

The Impact of This Week’s Malware News

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For the first time, MAC users are struggling with a serious, wide-spread, malware outbreak for Mac OS.  As reported by ZDnet, Apple is struggling to define its role as customer unaccustomed to these types of problems search for answers and help.

Also, this week, Microsoft announced that 1 in 14 Internet downloads is Windows malware.  According to ZDnet, Microsoft shared the data, gathered from anonymous security reports, to tout the security features of IE9.

Both of these events give us serious pause, as they should for you.

In today’s world, the best place for your computer to catch a virus or other malware is from web site visits and downloads.  At the same time, many webmasters are unaware that hackers have compromised their sites.

Desktop and email spam and virus protection are no longer sufficient.  Web security and active web filtering are an essential security component.  If you don’t have a web security solution in place, your are neglecting one of the largest risks to your network, systems, and data.

Fortunately, you have more web security options than you may think.  Web security no longer means committing to hardware, software, and firewall upgrades.  Cloud-based web security services offer greater protection at a lower cost, and require less administrator time.

Want to know more?  Contact us and we will schedule a call.