Some people think that desktop security software is nearing the end of its life. This notion is not only misguided, it is downright dangerous
Call it endpoint security, antivirus, or Internet security. The security software we all run on our PCs may be one of the most important yet misunderstood areas of computing. Research suggest that many users believe one or several of the following:
It's all the same stuff. Since all of this software protects us from the same malware, endpoint security is really a commodity so it makes sense to pay as little as possible or rely on freeware. Wrong! While signatures may be similar, delivery time can vary widely. Additionally, some vendors can detect/prevent lots of malware variants with a single signature while others need multiple signatures to do so. Finally, endpoint security is a lot more than AntiVirus signatures alone. The best software contains heuristics, white listing, identity protection, etc.
Signature-based endpoint security is dead. This theory suggests that the advent of 0-day threats and rapid malware development makes AntiVirus signatures obsolete. This too is false. At one time, AntiVirus signatures were all you needed to protect your system but now you need defence-in-depth. AntiVirus signatures are still a foundation of endpoint security, supported by other technology safeguards.
If I avoid risky sites, I don't need endpoint security. You certainly decrease your risk of getting mugged if you avoid certain suburbs but sometimes you don't go to crime -- crime comes to you. With the rapid growth of web threats and related drive-by malware propagation, you don't have to seek out cybercrime for cybercrime to find you.
Overall security is getting better so endpoint security software is becoming less important. While it may be hard to imagine, consumer research indicates that there is a large and growing part of the population that believe this is the case. In actuality, the opposite is true -- things are getting worse.
I have a Mac so I don't need security software. Yes, I know that those "I'm a PC" ads are funny but they give the false impression that Macs are somehow invisible to cybercrime. They are not. AVG, Trend Micro and many security researchers believe that Macs will become an increasingly attractive target for bad guys in 2010 and beyond.
A far larger percentage of our fellow citizens believe one or several of these myths, install sub-standard endpoint security, or somehow believe that they are immune from malware infections and never deploy security software. If we are lucky, their systems are compromised, private data is stolen and they learn their lesson. Unfortunately, these cavalier attitudes or ignorance threaten us all by creating huge botnets poised for attack. Our advice to all PC and Mac users:
Install endpoint security with products from Trend Micro or AVG Corporate.
Choose the best security software you can find and don't squabble over $80 dollars to get a leading endpoint security solution.
Stay vigilant as security software alone won't protect you.
Educate yourself and your staff on current Internet and social engineering threats.
The best solution is to have a Managed Services or Service Level Agreement with Managed/Monitored Endpoint Security. It's a dangerous digital world. Our medical records need to be protected.
