How to choose the right computer equipment for your business to increase your productivity and efficiency without it costing the earth.
Business software helps you complete a range of tasks. Choose the right software, provide support and train your staff with our introduction.
It is highly likely that you depend on the internet for some aspects of your business. Find out how you can use the internet more effectively.
Good communication with customers, partners and suppliers is vital for business success. This summary explores business communication methods.
How would you cope if your IT system failed or was breached? We cover the main IT security issues and how to protect against them.
Good IT management can help you choose, use and implement IT. Our overview helps you manage IT in a way that maximises the return on your investment.
IT support is vital if you rely on your IT system. But how can you set up an effective safety net in case things go wrong? We explore the options.
Getting the right IT is just the first step. Appropriate training, policies and working practices can help you maximise return on your IT investment.
Security and anti-virus software plays an essential role in protecting your servers, systems, software and computers
It provides a key line of defence by detecting, blocking and removing viruses, spyware and malware (malicious software including ransomware) before it can do any lasting damage.
Security and anti-virus software can also protect all data you store, including customer and financial information.
There are multiple security solutions available, which can make it hard to choose. Here’s what you need to know about buying security and ant-virus software.
What is security and anti-virus software?
Security software helps keep your company computers and network secure by analysing files and data for anything that looks suspicious.
Most security packages will:
Historically, Apple Macs have suffered fewer security problems than Windows computers. However, as Apple's market share has grown, so has the number of threats.
These days, it's wise to run security software on your Mac.
As well as protecting you, it will reduce the risk of unwittingly passing viruses on to colleagues or contacts that have Windows computers.
Viruses and malware can spread through infected websites, emails and files that are sent to your business.
Security and anti-virus software identifies these threats by comparing files on your computer to the electronic 'signatures' of known viruses.
Although security software can massively reduce the chances of your business suffering a virus infection, it's not infallible. Most packages only protect reliably against known threats and new threats are emerging almost every day.
You’ll also need more than just security and anti-virus software to stay safe. It won't stop thieves making off with your server, a dishonest employee stealing your company database, or a fire damaging your IT equipment.
To ensure total protection, your business needs a robust security plan, IT policies, good staff training and a backup system to guard against data loss and theft.
Types of security software
There are many security and anti-virus packages on the market. Most offer similar core protection, including:
It's cost-effective and sensible to select a single package that offers all these functions in one.
There are two main types of software:
Every computer and server in your business should be protected by security software. You should also consider installing it on mobile devices, including all tablets and smartphones owned by your business, especially if they hold critical data.
Because security and virus protection is so critical, it's crucial to select software from a reputable company.
Some big names in the market include McAfee, Panda, Kaspersky and Norton.
Expect to pay £20 - £50 per user or device, including updates for two years.
Before selecting a security package, speak to an independent IT supplier or support company. They can discuss your options and help you to choose a security software platform that’s built for your business.
There are a few decent free packages available, such as those from AVG and Avast!. However, these may be light on features or only suitable for home use.
Once you've installed and configured your security software, you must keep it up to date. New threats emerge daily, so the software should check for updated signatures at least once a day.
Thankfully, most security software automatically searches for new threats and installs updates automatically.
After the first year or two, you'll probably have to pay a monthly or annual fee to receive updates. Do not be tempted to cancel your subscription, as this will leave you vulnerable to new threats. When security software is so cheap, it’s not worth taking the risk.
