You may be wondering how a corporate anti-virus is different from a home anti-virus. In general, corporate anti-virus is more robust and has more features than home anti-virus because businesses have a higher stake in protecting their data. Here are some specific ways in which corporate anti-virus is different from home anti-virus.
Scheduled Scans
As anyone who has ever dealt with a computer virus knows, malware can be incredibly destructive. Not only can it delete important files and damage hardware, but it can also give hackers access to sensitive information. That’s why it’s so important to keep your computer free of viruses and other malicious software. Scheduled scans are one of the best ways to do this, as they can identify and remove threats before they have a chance to do any damage. However, it’s important to note that not all scheduled scans are created equal. Corporate anti-virus software is designed to be much more thorough than the home versions, as businesses can’t afford to have their systems go offline for even a few minutes. As a result, home users should take care to run regular full scans in addition to the scheduled ones in order to ensure their computers are as protected as possible.
Remote Management
One of the key differences between corporate and home anti-virus software is in the area of remote management. Corporate anti-virus software is often designed with features that allow IT administrators, to manage the software from a central location. This can be helpful for businesses as it saves time and money by allowing IT staff to manage all the computers in a company from one place. Home users, however, typically don’t need this type of functionality as they usually only have one or two computers to protect. With home anti-virus software, users typically manage the software themselves from their own computers. This can be more convenient for some users as they can see all the settings and options for the software in one place. However, it also means that if something goes wrong with the software, it’s up to the user to fix it. With corporate anti-virus software, IT staff can often help resolve any issues that arise.
Cost
The cost of corporate anti-virus software is often higher than the cost of home anti-virus software for a few reasons. First, businesses need more comprehensive protection than individual users do. Home users can get by with a less expensive option because they don’t have as much at risk if their computer becomes infected with a virus or malware. Businesses, however, stand to lose a lot if their systems are compromised, so they need to invest in more comprehensive protection. Second, corporate anti-virus software is typically subscription-based, while home anti-virus software is often sold as a one-time purchase. This means that businesses need to continue to pay for their anti-virus protection on an ongoing basis, whereas home users can pay for their protection up front and then not have to worry about it again for a year or more. Finally, businesses may also be required to purchase additional licenses for employees who use their own personal devices for work purposes. This can add to the overall cost of the corporate anti-virus solution.
Types of Viruses
Now that you know some of the ways in which corporate anti-virus is different from home anti-virus, let’s take a look at some of the types of viruses that these programs can protect against.
Trojan Horse
Trojan horses are one of the most common types of computer viruses. They get their name from the Greek story of the Trojan War, in which the Greeks used a giant wooden horse to sneak into the city of Troy and take it over. In the same way, a Trojan horse virus sneaks into a computer by masquerading as something else. For example, it might pose as a game or a program that promises to improve your system performance. Once it has gained access to your system, it can delete files, steal information, or even take control of your computer.
Worms
Another type of virus is the worm, which is a program that replicates itself and spreads from computer to computer. Worms can cause a lot of damage because they can quickly spread throughout a network and infect all of the computers in it.
Viruses
Finally, there are viruses, which are programs that attach themselves to files and spread themselves by infecting the files that they’re attached to. Viruses can damage files and even cause them to become corrupt.
Best Practices When Using Corporate Anti-Virus
Now that you know some of the ways in which corporate anti-virus is different from home anti-virus, as well as some of the types of viruses that these programs can protect against, let’s take a look at some best practices when using corporate anti-virus.
Keep Up to Date
First, always make sure that your corporate anti-virus software is up to date. New viruses and malware are created all the time, so it’s important to have the latest protection in order to defend against them.
Use Multiple Layers of Protection
Second, use multiple layers of protection. In addition to corporate anti-virus, consider using a firewall, intrusion detection/prevention system, and email filtering. These additional layers of protection will help to further secure your system.
Educate Employees
Finally, educate employees about the importance of security and what they can do to help protect the company’s systems. Employees should know how to spot potential threats and report them to IT staff. They should also know not to open attachments from unknown senders or click on links from untrustworthy websites.
By following these best practices, you can help to ensure that your company’s systems are secure against the latest threats.
Summary
If you’re responsible for choosing anti-virus software for your business, you’ll want to make sure you choose a solution that’s designed specifically for businesses. Corporate anti-virus solutions are more robust and feature-rich than home anti-virus solutions, and they’re also more expensive. But the extra cost is worth it when you consider what’s at stake if your business’s systems become compromised by a virus or malware attack.
