Duplicated Antivirus Protection - Get Secure - Get Duplicated! 1.gif

Keep your Network and Software Virus Free!

With a Duplicated Antivirus Solution your Business can be free of Malware 

The fact that you need Security for your Computer Systems and IT Network cannot be overstated.  The amount of malware being engineered today and released across the internet is staggering.  And to think, it all got started because someone wanted to put a funny message on someone's screen as a prank.  That prank opened a Pandora's Box of negative opportunity and upon seeing the ability to invade systems and networks, hackers and some software writers had the sudden realization that if, A. they had no morals and ethics, and B. they were savvy enough to write stalwart code, they could write malicious software and rob or even hijack entire systems.  The trick was, getting people to open it and launch their code.  Once that had occured their program was infected into existing software applications enabling the virus producer all sorts of options depending on how their design was intended.  Malware, or viruses, now run the gamut from passive monitoring that can read every keystroke you make, including passwords, credit card numbers, and account information you type into form fields anywhere on the net or into programs, all the way to electronic blackmail, or what the FBI calls, Cryptoviral Extortion.

What is a Computer Virus and how does my Business Avoid Them.  Get Duplicated and Get Antivirus!-1.jpg

What is a Virus?

Malicious Programs Designed to Harm or Ransom Your Files and Business

There are a few major types of computer viruses out there with many subcategories but the important part to focus on is what they do and what the programmer of the virus' intentions are.  Passive keystroke loggers and the fraudulent practice of "phishing" emails are designed to collect your personal or sensitive business information while malignant malware can run in the background and electronically report back to the virus launcher everything you have stored on your desktop, laptop, and network drives.  Every bit of data entered or stored is being read and filed, used or sold on their end.  They log on to their system and read your accounts, inventory, credit card information, bank account numbers, every Google search, and email you have or have ever had, and every deal you have completed and are working on for the future.  And if you don't think industrial espionage is a real or veritable concern you'd be shocked to read that not only can hackers sell your client lists and pending deals to your competitors, but there have been case after case where the competitor IS the hacker who is stealing your customers, rerouting your inventory, and destroying your way of doing business.  Now you may think, well that's not really my concern and your business may not seemingly fall into a category you think would be targeted, and that's what the programmers of ransomware are hoping.  Cryptoviral extortion is not passive.  It is invasive and written specifically to kidnap (datanap if you will) your company right out from under you.  Virus Detection and Elimination can Occur just as fast as Intrusion Begins with Duplicated Antivirus!! 7They don't need to break into your place of business and steal computers or hardware, they write programs that infiltrate your systems from outside or get you to unknowingly launch and unleash the virus for them that can then lock up your data and shut down your hardware. Some of these bugs can replicate and begin corrupting your expensive software, root directories, and boot up files (strings of code and programs that startup your computer and manage computer resources for speed and overall alacrity) and then the virus suddenly displays a ransom note - money for the return of your ability to login and retrieve everything you electronically own.  This type of attack typically has three options or layers to it.   One can be a simple yet annoying screen blocker - a message pops up on your screen that tells you that your computer is now locked or your data is unreachable and now being ransomed, but no real action has occurred other than the appearance of that threat screen.  These scareware screens often work, so the malicious programmer doesn't go any further that just creating the screen overlay which contains the ransom demand.  In this case most antivirus software or even a savvy junior high student can defeat this type of virus.  The second level is actually locking you out of your computer or server.  This level of penetration is much more than a nuisance and, depending on how invasive or how well it was written, can be the end of your business until the ransom is paid.  Once unleashed it can randomly change all of your passwords and can make it near impossible to wrest your system away from the intruder and back into your own hands.  The third and most serious of the options is the full encryption and altering of your stored data and files.  This type of virus, once launched, seeks out and changes your file names, folders, drive locations, and even your boot directories into a random and revolving encrypted naming system that only the virus programmer can decipher - and they need sophisticated software to do it.  Not only does the attacker steal your data, copy it at will, and charge you to decrypt or decode it back into something you can recognize again, but they can delete it even after you pay.  In fact, some 50% of businesses who actually pay the extortion to have their data restored actually get it back.  And if they hijacked more than just data but invaded your entire system of computers and servers, all of that hardware can be rendered useless and in need of being replaced - software and all!

Malware and Viruses are Stealthy and Everywhere. Make sure you have the Proper Security Measures in Place!

Virus Types - Malware to be on the watch For 1

Chances are you have already seen one of the above categories at some point.  Random ads that pop up and block a portion of your screen and then constantly open new ads when you try to close it.  These programmed viruses are specifically crafted to infect your system and rob you of time, computer resources, and money.  Even the Browser Helper Object that appears on your screen can at first look like a new helpful tool from Word or Excel, but is in fact a specific type of virus designed to either direct you to a malicious site where the real threat can upload into your system via the internet or a tool to launch unwanted pop-up ads or search toolbars - NOT very helpful, and even after removal they can leave behind malicious entries in your Windows Registry files.  The scareware virus will launch a page on top of all of your existing screens blocking everything currently open and tell you that you, or another employee has done something illegal or against the terms of your software license and direct you to pay a fine or a fee to unlock your software and resume normal use.  These screens will look official and have company or police agency logos and seals.  This type of virus ranges from simply annoying to being truly despicable.  But the good news is they are avoidable!  Keeping up-to-date on software patches, latest releases, and antivirus will ward off all but the most insidious of attacks.  Knowing where your network is vulnerable to attack is one key to properly addressing outside intrusions.  Anything, and we tend to call these peripheral devices, connected to your system can be a point of weakness for attack or "infection."  Printers, VoIP systems, Mobile devices - smartphones and laptops, Email, even your WiFi, can all be morphed from useful productivity boosters into machines that have suddenly turned against you.  They become tools of the attacker and knowing where the connectivity vulnerabilities are is half the battle.  Knowing how to find and then close areas of cybersecurity weakness should only be done by an IT professional you trust.  If you think your business is outside the realm of being attacked then remember this - your system can be infiltrated and then used to send out viruses or SPAM to others, not only your existing client list, but an imported list of thousands upon thousands of email addresses you can't even see.  Your email will slow or show signs of being bogged down, your system can freeze while computer memory, CPU, and disk drives are overloaded processing and running the virus and then, your business will be identifiable as the source of the attack.

Viruses can be unleashed into your computer and thus into your server network by email attachments - even pictures or graphics.  Connecting infected peripheral devices like laptops (connect to any free, public Wi-Fi networks lately?) smartphones - especially Androids (it’s OK I have one too!) or tablets can insert the virus.  Even old printers and copiers you've disposed of or properly recycled but did not have the memory properly erased can be a source of information for those competent enough to extract it.  Another prevalent way to “catch” a virus is letting your child “play” on your computer.  When they visit the latest and greatest online “game” and are prompted to download an "executable file" that allows the game to work you get, that's right – a VIRUS!  Now I’ll admit, kids can be extremely savvy  and tend to know their way around computers but the allure of that new game that everyone is playing can get them on to a “clone” site that is set up to look like the game they're looking for and once they click to download and play, your system is infected with whatever malware is being pushed.  But I have an antivirus running.  Most antivirus programs are quickly and utterly defeated the instant anyone at your computer clicks the OK to launch.  Security defects and exploitable holes in your applications and network connection points allow these ghosts in the machine to wreak havoc.  Protecting yourself by routine software upgrades and the installation of patches, plus up-to-date antivirus, will not protect you 100%.  A professional antivirus program, both software and operational practices, is the most cost-effective way to avoid being targeted and to protect the business you have worked so hard to build.  Since early 2016 we have observed delivery methods and deployment schemes that have evolved from the obvious and avoidable into seemingly harmless "clickbait" specifically designed to get the intended victim to open a file or visit a webpage that harbors what is called an Executable File (.exe) that then launches the virus program into your system.  At first, the virus just replicates and invades every program you have just like an infection.  After it takes hold specific symptoms begin to appear.  It is important not to ignore these telltale signs of peculiar behavior or irregularities.  And just like an infection, proper treatment of antibiotics or in this case, antivirus will slow and then "cure" the problem - but traces can be left behind.

 

With many virus delivery methods, the main focus is getting you to believe that what you are seeing or being told to do is an upgrade, or something sent by the software company to read and agree to.  Some pop-up windows will even tell you that a virus has been detected!  And it will prompt you how to combat or remove the virus - but that IS the virus and by clicking for help you will launch the virus into your system.  And we have all heard about those phone calls that immediately follow a pop-up warning on your screen.  The voice on the other end tells you that their monitoring software has spotted a virus and that by paying a fee they will "remote in" to your system right then and there to remove the suspicious program they "detected."  Once you allow them access from their remote location you are completely at the mercy of the hacker running the scam.  They can set themselves up as your computer or network administrator and become your pseudo IT manager who then regularly gets you to pay for their "services" until they are locked out.  Smartphones on the Android platform are also susceptible to this type of electronic hijacking where settings are changed and multiple user accounts created.

Android Smartphone Viruses can take over your phone and Infect to your Office Network  Inserting Malicious VirusesYour mobile devices are also a point of entry for cybersecurity threats and viruses.  Both iPhones and Androids can become infected in multiple ways and you can lose the use of your phone because it is either shut down by the virus or used by the virus to spread and infect others.  Sudden pop-up screens can block the applications you want to see or even trick you into giving them access and control by suddenly popping up as you go to select something on your existing screen.  You're trying to click one thing and a sneaky bait-and-switch window shows up exactly over that selection point and what you end up doing is selecting the new launchpoint on their screen instead.  Oh and by the way, stop filling out those fun forms and seemingly innocuous "surveys" on social media like Facebook.  Most of them even state that you will be granting that program or application access to your settings, contacts, and more!  That's not temporary.  In many cases it's a permanent access agreement that allows that application to turn over your data to the people or company that designed that fun little survey, but they created it TO retrieve your data and the survey is just bait.  Once you have granted them access, they monitor, use and even sell your information and the information of every contact you have and ever come across.  They log every site you go to, every search you enter, and can even access your camera and speaker.  Ever tell someone your back hurts and within 20 minutes an ad shows up on your phone about how to treat and cure back pain?  Eerie, isn't it?  And again, this entire scenario is completely avoidable.  I mean, let's face it, do we REALLY need to know what Star Wars character we would be or what vacation best suits our Astrological sign?

So, besides not actively participating in deploying the virus ourselves, what steps can we take to avoid these at best meddlesome annoyances and at worst, devastating technological assailants?  With proper diligence from your IT solution provider and competent, up-to-date virus protection, your business will have the best and most effective virus blocking and eradicating protection available.  We offer a platform-wide antivirus and security program that safeguards both your systems and network.  With our knowledge of technology peripherals like copiers and printers plus our IT technical support we have both the tools and expertise to protect your business, your data, and hardware network assets.   Get Duplicated and Get Powerful Antivirus Designed to Protect your Business and Technology from Malware and IntrusionWith a business class virus protection program from Duplicated you will have the latest in protection utilizing industry best practices and software designed to constantly assess, detect, and remove viruses and other malicious software like Worms and Trojans often before they can even attempt to download into your system.  Another big factor of our antivirus package is that it doesn't slow down your system or network as it quietly runs in the background.  That and the added functionality of remote access for live technical support if and when needed will provide you with the type of security that lets you get back to operating  your business and leave the worry and anxiety about your expensive IT equipment behind.  Now you can concentrate on those specific issues that help grow your business and lead to increased success.  With Additional Support services from our IT Management solutions your business will have a regular backup or offsite network copy so that if anything does breach or damage your network, there will be an on-demand, viable system that will restore you to business as usual with minimal loss of time and work.  No solution is foolproof and new types and versions of malware are popping up all the time, but with a professional grade antivirus from Duplicated you will have the same security that is required by government - Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, that mandate standards and compliance under HIPAA law and specific national security precautions.  For more information about antivirus and other IT/Print Security services, or to get your Antivirus Program from Duplicated at a low LOW monthly price, click below for more information:

 

Contact Us

 

To reach a Duplicated representative for an evaluation or to effectively protect your business today please call or email us and your business will be afforded the best in Network Security and IT solutions provided anywhere on the Central Coast.  Duplicated Business Solutions is the only Lexmark Authorized Solutions Provider in this area and our combined expertise and service is beyond compare.

Duplicated Business Solutions is a Lexmark Authorized Business Solutions Dealer