Most businesses understand that their IT systems need to be protected from malware using antivirus software. Although users understand the importance of antivirus software, they may have concerns about whether the software slows down their computers or otherwise hampers them. The answer to that question will lie in how they’re using the antivirus software and how it works.
How Does Corporate Antivirus Even Work?
Two of the core functions of antivirus software is to detect and deter malware. It does this by recognizing code and patterns for viruses, or virus definitions. Virus definitions are usually updated often and protect you from new attacks. They tell your security software what a virus looks like, how it operates, and how to defeat it. Without updated definitions, the software will not be able to recognize and deter new threats.
You install corporate antivirus software on the server or cloud end. The software will then protect all devices connected to the server or cloud, which is called endpoint security. Endpoint security is a crucial feature of corporate antivirus, computers and mobile devices need protection as they are access points for hackers.
Corporate antivirus software is not only installed to protect devices; it also monitors internet gateways so it can stop malware before it reaches the network. It will keep an eye on emails, HTTP, FTP, external storage media (CD, DVD, flash drives, SD cards, etc.), and file servers. Corporate antivirus software can protect your business from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware, adware, and more.
What are the Effects of Antivirus?
Every program that runs on your computer or device needs processing power and space in your RAM. Antivirus software is the same. It runs in the background while you are operating other programs. The amount of processing power and space it consumes is negligible. The software comes with minimum specifications to run smoothly, so as long as your machine meets them, then everything should be fine.
One way in which antivirus software can slow your computer down is if you are running more than one of them. Antivirus software is built to operate on its own and rarely works well with other antivirus software. Running multiple instances of antivirus software at the same time can not only slow down your computer, but it can also produce error reports, freeze your computer, or even crash it.
Full disk scans for infected files or malware are a thorough operation that runs in the background and can thus slow your computer. But the operation is essential to protecting your IT systems, so it is recommended you schedule it for low or non-operational hours.
The Cost of NOT Using Antivirus
Not running an antivirus program on your IT systems can have a devastating effect on your operations. The very nature of malware is to be disruptive to its victims. Viruses can slow down your computers or completely shut them down. Hackers can also corrupt your data to the point of non-recovery or encrypt it and extort money from you to get it back. Resources like money, processing power for cryptojacking, or assets could also be stolen if a hacker accesses your IT system. While any of these scenarios is happening, keep in mind that governments are actively penalizing companies for not having robust hacker deterrents.
Installing a comprehensive antivirus software like Carbon Black malware protection software will protect your IT system, your business operations, and keep you compliant with regulators.
Why You Should Have Antivirus Software
Running an antivirus will protect your entire organization from malware. Although an antivirus does take some processing power and RAM, it is relatively negligible. If you weigh the low cost of running an antivirus with the losses you could incur proceeding without one, you will realize that it is better to have antivirus than not to have it.
