All posts

Testing anti-malware’s protection layers

Endpoint security is an important component of computer security, whether you are a home user, a small business or running a massive company. But it’s just one layer. Our first set of anti-malware test results for 2017 are now available.

Latest reports now online

Using multiple layers of security, including a firewall, anti-exploit technologies built into the operating system and virtual private networks (VPNs) when using third-party WiFi is very important too.

What many people don’t realise is that anti-malware software often actually contains its own different layers of protection. Threats can come at you from many different angles, which is why security vendors try to block and stop them using a whole chain of approaches.

A fun video we created to show how anti-malware tries to stop threats in different ways

How layered protection works

For example, let’s consider a malicious website that will infect victims automatically when they visit the site. Such ‘drive-by’ threats are common and make up about one third of this test’s set of attacks. You visit the site with your web browser and it exploits some vulnerable software on your computer, before installing malware – possibly ransomware, a type of malware that also features prominently in this test.

browser-8901457

Here’s how the layers of endpoint security can work. The URL (web link) filter might block you from visiting the dangerous website. If that works you are safe and nothing else need be done.

But let’s say this layer of security crumbles, and the system is exposed to the exploit.

toaster-9827773Maybe the product’s anti-exploit technology prevents the exploit from running or, at least, running fully? If so, great. If not, the threat will likely download the ransomware and try to run it.

At this stage file signatures may come into play. Additionally, the malware’s behaviour can be analysed. Maybe it is tested in a virtual sandbox first. Different vendors use different approaches.

Ultimately the threat has to move down through a series of layers of protection in all but the most basic of ‘anti-virus’ products.

Testing all layers

The way we test endpoint security is realistic and allows all layers of its protection to be tested.

Our latest reports, for enterprisesmall business and home users are now available for free from our website. Please download them and follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook to receive updates and future reports.

See all blog posts relating to test results.

All posts

Infected websites, back from the dead

Forgotten, infected websites can haunt users with malware.

Last night, I received a malicious email. The problem is, it was sent to an account I use to register for websites and nothing else.

Over the years, I’ve signed up for hundreds of sites using this account, from news to garden centres. One of them has been compromised. The mere act of receiving the email immediately marked it out as dodgy.

Continue reading “Infected websites, back from the dead”

Contact us

Give us a few details about yourself and describe your inquiry. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Get in touch

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or inquiries

info@selabs.uk Connect with us Find us