Create A Malware Protection Procedure Guide For External Use ✓ Solved

Create a malware protection procedure guide for external user access

Scenario always Fresh allows external users, such as vendors and business partners, to access the Always Fresh Windows environment. You have noticed an increase in malware activity originating from external users. To mitigate this, you are tasked with creating a policy ensuring all external computers connecting to Always Fresh are malware-free. Your procedure guide should include steps for installing and running anti-malware software, and specify how to verify compliance.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Malware Protection Procedure Guide for External User Access

Introduction

Ensuring that external devices are free from malware before connecting to the company's environment is critical for maintaining cybersecurity. This guide provides clear, step-by-step procedures for selecting, installing, updating, and scanning anti-malware software, as well as managing malware detection incidents. It is intended to be accessible to security professionals and users with basic technical knowledge, ensuring effective implementation and compliance.

Approved Anti-Malware Software Solutions

To uphold high security standards, the company recommends using a combination of reputable anti-malware solutions. The following list includes three leading antivirus programs and two anti-spyware solutions:

  • Antivirus Software:
    • Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    • Norton Antivirus
    • Kaspersky Anti-Virus
  • Anti-Spyware Software:
    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    • Spybot Search & Destroy

Users must select one antivirus program and one anti-spyware program from the list above, download from official sources, and install on their devices.

Installation Instructions

1. Choose one of the approved antivirus solutions and one anti-spyware solutions.

2. Download the software from the official vendor website.

3. Follow the installation prompts, accepting default or recommended settings.

4. Restart the device if prompted to complete installation.

Ensuring Software and Data Are Up to Date

Regular updates are essential for effective malware protection:

  1. Configure the anti-malware software to automatically check for updates at least once daily.
  2. Ensure that the software's virus definitions and application itself are current before performing any scans.
  3. Use the software’s update feature or settings menu to verify update status; perform manual updates if automatic updating fails.

Running Regular Malware Scans

Consistent scanning helps detect and remove malware promptly:

  1. Enable automatic scans to run during periods of inactivity; if unavailable, proceed with scheduled manual scans.
  2. Schedule daily quick scans to occur when the device is idle.
  3. Schedule biweekly full system scans for comprehensive malware detection.
  4. If automatic scheduling is not possible, perform manual scans at least once per day and a full scan every two weeks.

Procedures After Malware Detection

Immediate and appropriate action must be taken upon malware detection to prevent spread and ensure system integrity:

  1. Immediate Reaction:
    • Cease all current work; save any unsaved data if possible.
    • Do NOT turn off the device unless instructed by security personnel.
  2. Contact Security: Notify the company security team immediately via designated communication channels.
  3. Information Collection: Record essential details including:
    • Nature of the malware detected
    • Time and date of detection
    • Name of the anti-malware software used
    • Actions taken during the incident

Verification and Compliance

To verify that external devices are malware-free before connection:

  • Require users to show evidence of recent malware scans with no threats detected.
  • Implement a checklist or compliance form confirming the malware scan status prior to connection.
  • Use automated security tools to scan devices upon connection if feasible.
  • Maintain logs of all compliance checks for audit and review purposes.

Conclusion

This procedure guide provides a standardized approach for external users to prepare their devices against malware threats. Consistent adherence to these steps will significantly reduce malware risks to the Always Fresh environment, safeguarding company resources and data integrity.

References

  • Chen, T., & Ghorbani, A. (2018). Malware detection techniques. IEEE Transactions on Cloud Computing.
  • Microsoft. (2023). Microsoft Defender Antivirus documentation. Retrieved from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/antimalware/define-antimalware-collections
  • NortonLifeLock. (2023). Norton Antivirus features and best practices. Norton.com.
  • Kaspersky. (2023). Kaspersky Anti-Virus software overview. Kaspersky.com.
  • Malwarebytes Labs. (2022). Anti-malware best practices. Malwarebytes.com.
  • Spybot. (2023). Spybot Search & Destroy. Official website.
  • Chivers, C., & AlHogail, A. (2020). Cybersecurity incident response: Best practices. Journal of Information Security.
  • Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2021). Guidelines for malware mitigation. CISA.gov.
  • European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2022). Securing external device access. ENISA.eu.
  • ISO/IEC. (2020). Information technology — Security techniques — Malware countermeasures. ISO 27002.

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