The Importance of Up-To-Date Anti-Virus Software for Remote Working

25 Aug The Importance of Up-To-Date Anti-Virus Software for Remote Working

Post-pandemic, the world of work has changed. Many businesses are encouraging their staff to return to the office, but for many, there has been a definite shift towards remote working at least some of the time.

For many businesses, this means staff members are using home computers to access business systems.

Using home machines that are outside the remit of standard business security procedures can expose your business to cybersecurity breaches through malware or data theft. To counteract this, it’s important staff members working remotely keep their systems up to date, particularly their anti-virus software.

The Benefits of Anti-Virus Software

The threat from cyber-attacks is larger than ever. In fact, instances of phishing reached an all time high in 2022.

The threat from malware has changed too over the years. Research shows 75% of malicious software is now created with the intention of infecting large numbers of computers rather than targeting individuals.

Anti-virus software is a set of utilities designed to prevent, search for, detect and remove threats such as viruses, trojans, spam attacks and other online cyber threats. 

The Dangers of Using a Home Machine for Work

Regardless of whether your staff work via VPN (Virtual Private Network) or specific remote access utilities, when using personal home machines, your business can be open to attack if their end virus protection is not up to date.

 It’s critical to your business security that you encourage your staff to keep their home systems secure with regular updates and scans of their anti-virus utilities.

 Running regular updates on home machines (even if staff members work from home infrequently), not only helps to protect your business, but also helps to protect their personal data, keeps their machine running better for longer, and potentially expands its lifespan.  

Cybercriminals are continually updating their methods of attack, so ensuring everyone regularly carries out security updates on their home machines plays a huge role in keeping all your systems safe from a breach. 

Most utilities update automatically, but it’s worth your staff checking this is active for the software they use.

There are many factors to consider when protecting your business against cyber-attacks. Contact us to discuss the best options for your business.

See Related: How To Protect Your Business Against Cyber Attack