I Have Antivirus. Why Do I Still Get Viruses?

It's one of the questions we hear most: "We pay for antivirus, so why did we still get infected?" The short answer is that antivirus is one layer of protection, not a force field. Here are the five most common reasons malware still gets through.

1. Nothing blocks 100%

New threats appear every day, and attackers test their malware against popular antivirus products before releasing it. Being online always carries some risk. The goal is to stack enough layers that one gap doesn't become a disaster.

2. The firewall isn't doing much

Every office has some kind of firewall, but they are not created equal. A basic router blocks very little, while a business-grade firewall can filter dangerous sites, block known attackers and alert you to unusual activity. In our experience, offices with a properly configured firewall see far fewer infections.

3. Work happens outside the office

Laptops go home, to coffee shops and on the road. Outside the office network they lose the protection of your firewall. Remote staff should connect through a VPN, and every laptop needs its own protection that works anywhere.

4. Updates are behind

Out-of-date software is the easiest way in. That includes Windows and macOS, browsers, PDF readers, website software and the firmware in routers and printers. Free or expired antivirus that doesn't update itself barely protects you at all.

5. One wrong click

Most infections today start with a person, not a program: a convincing email, a fake invoice, a pop-up asking you to click Allow. No software can fully stop someone from approving something harmful.

What actually helps

• Turn on automatic updates for operating systems, browsers and apps.
• Use multi-factor authentication on email and anything that holds company data.
• Pause before you click. If an email, alert or attachment is unexpected, don't open it. When in doubt, click Cancel or Block, or call the sender.
• Back up your data automatically, with a copy stored away from the office.
• Have your network checked. A professional review usually finds gaps you didn't know about.

If any of these are missing at your business, get in touch and we'll help you close the gaps.