Antivirus Software: Do You Still Need It? A Small Business Guide

Antivirus software is still worth having, but it is no longer enough on its own. Modern attacks arrive through email, stolen passwords and unpatched software as often as through malicious files. Here is what antivirus software does, what it misses, and how to build a plan around it.

What antivirus software does

Antivirus software scans files and programs for known malicious code and stops or removes them. Most products also watch behavior, block dangerous websites and scan downloads and email attachments. It is a basic layer of defense on every computer.

What antivirus software does not cover

• Phishing. A convincing email that tricks someone into typing a password is not a virus.
• Weak or reused passwords. Attackers log in rather than break in.
• Unpatched software. Old programs have known holes that need updates, not scans.
• Insider mistakes. A file shared with the wrong person is not malware.
• Data loss. Antivirus does not restore files after ransomware or a failed drive.

A small business security checklist

1. Keep antivirus on every device and make sure it updates itself.
2. Turn on multi-factor authentication for email and any system with sensitive data.
3. Install updates for operating systems, browsers and plugins promptly.
4. Use a password manager so every account has a unique password.
5. Train staff to spot phishing and to report anything odd.
6. Back up important files and test the restore.
7. Protect your email with filtering for spam and malicious attachments.

How to choose antivirus software

• Look for independent test results, not just marketing claims.
• Check that it covers all your devices, including phones.
• Make sure it does not slow the machines down.
• Ask who manages it and who gets alerts.

When to get help

Many small businesses do not have an IT person to manage this. If that is you, our cybersecurity services cover protection, monitoring and response, and our backup and disaster recovery service gives you a clean copy to recover from. Antivirus is the first layer. A plan makes the rest of the layers work together.