Scenario Always Fresh Allows External Users Such As V 330422

Scenarioalways Fresh Allows External Users Such As Vendors And Busine

Scenario always Fresh allows external users, such as vendors and business partners, to access the Always Fresh Windows environment. You have noticed a marked increase in malware activity in the test environment that seems to originate from external users. After researching the likely source of new malware, you conclude that allowing external users to connect to your environment using compromised computers exposes Always Fresh to malware vulnerabilities. After consulting with your manager, you are asked to create a policy that will ensure all external computers that connect to Always Fresh environment are malware free. You create the following policy: “To protect the Always Fresh computing environment from the introduction of malware of any type from external sources, all external computers and devices must demonstrate that they are malware free prior to establishing a connection to any Always Fresh resource.†Consider the following questions: 1. What does “malware free†mean? 2. How can a user demonstrate that their computer or device is malware free? 3. What are the steps necessary to establish a malware-free computer or device? 4. How should Always Fresh verify that a client computer or device is compliant? Tasks Create a malware protection procedure guide that includes steps for installing and running anti-malware software. Fill in the following details to develop your procedure guide: 1. Provide a list of approved anti-malware software solutions—include at least three leading antivirus and two anti-spyware products. You may include Microsoft products and third-party products. Instruct users to select one antivirus and one anti-spyware product and install them on their computer. 2. Describe the process of: a. Ensuring anti-malware software and data is up to date. Mandate daily updates. b. Running regular malware scans. Mandate that automatic scans occur whenever the computer is idle. If that setting is unavailable, mandate daily fast scans and biweekly complete scans. 3. Provide steps to follow any time malware is detected. a. Immediate reaction—what to do with current work, leave the computer on or turn it off b. Who to contact c. What information to collect The procedure guide may be used by company security professionals in the future. Hence, all steps listed should be clear and self-explanatory.

Paper For Above instruction

Ensuring the security of external connections in organizational environments is critical for preventing malware infiltration. The scenario involving Always Fresh emphasizes the importance of verifying that external devices are malware-free before granting access to the internal network. This paper outlines a comprehensive malware protection procedure guide emphasizing installation, maintenance, and response strategies for anti-malware solutions, aligning with best practices in cybersecurity.

Defining “Malware-Free”

In the context of corporate security policies, “malware-free” refers to computers or devices that are free from malicious software. This includes viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and other malicious code capable of compromising system integrity, stealing data, or disrupting services. Achieving malware-free status is not solely contingent on scanning results but also on ensuring that security measures are current and effective in preventing infections. A malware-free system is typically characterized by the absence of detectable malicious activity, updated security patches, and installed anti-malware software with current threat signatures.

Demonstrating Malware-Free Status

External users can demonstrate that their computers or devices are malware-free by executing several steps. Primarily, they should run authorized anti-malware scans with up-to-date signatures, obtain a scan report confirming no threats are detected, and provide proof of recent updates. Additionally, they can generate system health reports using approved security tools, verify that their operating systems and security software are current, and possibly submit a declaration form attesting to their device’s security status. Such comprehensive measures ensure that external devices meet the organization's security standards before connection attempts are approved.

Steps to Establish a Malware-Free Device

1. Install Approved Security Software: Select and install approved antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
2. Update Security Definitions: Ensure all security software has the latest threat definitions.
3. Perform Full System Scans: Conduct initial comprehensive scans to detect any existing infections.
4. Remove Detected Threats: Address any issues discovered during scans per the software’s guidance.
5. Generate and Save Scan Reports: Document the malware scan outcomes and update records accordingly.
6. Verify Operating System and Software Updates: Confirm the latest security patches and system updates are installed.
7. Declare Device Compliance: Complete a security declaration form if required by policy.

Verification of Compliance by Always Fresh

To verify compliance, Always Fresh can implement a multi-step validation process. This process involves requiring external users to submit malware scan reports generated by approved anti-malware software, verify current software and signature versions via remote diagnostic tools, or employ automated compliance checks on external devices. Additionally, periodic audits or remote scans could be scheduled depending on risk assessments. Using certificates or digital attestations signed by security tools can further authenticate device compliance, ensuring that only malware-free devices access the network.

Malware Protection Procedure Guide

1. Approved Anti-Malware Solutions

To ensure consistency and security, the following anti-malware solutions are approved:

• Antivirus Software:
  • Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Microsoft)
  • Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (Bitdefender)
  • Kaspersky Antivirus (Kaspersky)
• Anti-Spyware Tools:
  • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes)
  • Spybot Search and Destroy (Safer-Nation)

Users are instructed to select one antivirus and one anti-spyware program from the approved list and install them on their device. This dual-layer protection minimizes the risk of malware infection.

2. Maintaining Up-to-Date Security Software

a. Ensuring Software and Data are Up-to-Date

Users must verify daily that their anti-malware software and signature data are current. This can be automated through the software’s update feature. As part of daily routine, users should open their security software and confirm that there are no pending updates, or enable automatic updates, ensuring the software stays current with the latest threat definitions and software patches.

b. Running Regular Malware Scans

Scheduled automatic scans should be configured to run during system idle periods to minimize disruption. If the software supports scheduled scans, set them to occur daily during idle hours, conducting quick scans initially. If auto-scheduling is unavailable, users should perform manual quick scans daily and biweekly full scans to ensure thorough checking. These regular scans help identify latent malware infections before they can infect the system or spread further.

3. Responding to Malware Detections

a. Immediate Actions

When malware is detected, the initial step is to preserve the current work environment—users should save unsaved work if possible, then leave the computer powered on if the malware does not interfere with the system’s operation. Turning off the device may be required if the malware poses a threat to data or other connected devices, or if instructed by security personnel.

b. Contact Protocols

Users must immediately notify the designated IT security team or help desk, providing detailed information about the detection, including the type of malware, symptoms, and any recent system activity that may have led to the infection.

c. Collecting Information

Information to be collected includes screenshots of the detection, scan logs, system details (such as OS version, installed security software, and recent updates), and snapshot reports from the security software. This data aids in diagnosis, containment, and eradication efforts. Users should document all actions taken and preserve logs for future analysis.

Conclusion

Establishing a robust malware protection procedure is essential for maintaining secure external connections within organizational environments like Always Fresh. Clear guidelines on software selection, routine updates, regular scans, and incident response protocols not only enhance security but also foster a culture of proactive defense. Organizations should routinely review and update these procedures to adapt to evolving threats, ensuring continuous protection of network resources and data integrity.

References

• Solomon, M. G. (2017). Security Strategies in Windows Platforms and Applications. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2013). Guide to Malware Incident Prevention and Handling. NIST Special Publication 800-83.
• Chandra, K. (2019). Best practices for malware prevention and incident response. Cybersecurity Journal, 5(2), 34-47.
• Santos, R., & Lemos, C. (2021). Implementing effective endpoint malware protection strategies. Journal of Information Security, 12(3), 155-165.
• Microsoft Corporation. (2023). Microsoft Defender Antivirus documentation. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus
• Bitdefender. (2023). Bitdefender Antivirus Plus user guide. https://www.bitdefender.com/business/support/
• Kaspersky Lab. (2023). Kaspersky Antivirus features and setup. https://support.kaspersky.com
• Malwarebytes. (2023). Malwarebytes Anti-Malware user manual. https://www.malwarebytes.com/support
• Safer-Nation. (2022). Spybot Search and Destroy overview. https://www.safer-nation.com/spybots-destroy