Email Security researchers have discovered a new type of phishing campaign that specifically targets the financial services industry. These malicious attacks use a tricky Excel file that can sneak past malware-detection programs. What’s particularly concerning is that these attacks don’t stop at email attachments; they also use deceptive URLs to lure victims into clicking. Once
Clicked, the link takes them to a compromised SharePoint or fake OneDrive site, ultimately leading to the harmful Excel file. To defend against such attacks, it’s essential for organizations to stay proactive and adapt their security measures because email-based attacks, like ransomware phishing, continue to be a prevalent threat.
Phishing attacks are on the rise, and companies need to be vigilant. Defending against these threats requires not only strengthening email security but also having a robust SaaS backup solution as part of an overall cybersecurity strategy. This multifaceted approach is vital to safeguarding against evolving cyber threats and maintaining business continuity.
In this discussion, we’ll explore the increasing problem of phishing attacks, understand how companies can protect themselves from these attacks, and see how a SaaS backup solution plays a crucial role in keeping your digital data safe.
Rising Phishing Threats: Stay Protected
In 2020, a whopping 75% of organizations worldwide faced phishing attacks, and in the United States, 74% fell victim to successful phishing attempts. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made things worse by causing more email security problems.
A survey revealed that employees clicked on three times as many malicious emails during the pandemic. Email threats went up by 64% in 2020, and a worrying 70% of the companies surveyed feared they’d be hurt by email attacks.
People are worried because these phishing attacks are getting smarter and happening more often. In the survey, 60% of folks said that the attacks are becoming fancier, and 52% were concerned about the sheer number of these attacks. Staying cautious and beefing up email security is crucial in today’s digital world.
Guarding against attacks
In phishing attacks, cybercriminals send emails with harmful attachments, hoping to break into a company’s computer system. If someone opens the attachment, it can unleash ransomware that can mess up not just one computer but an entire company’s network.
Surprisingly, in a recent survey, 43% of people worldwide admitted that their own employees not knowing enough about cybersecurity is a major problem. Shockingly, 13% of companies still don’t have an email security system, and 88% of Microsoft 365 users feel their companies need better email security.
To stop people from clicking on dangerous links in shady emails, companies should teach their staff about cybersecurity. The first defense is making sure everyone can spot phishing emails to avoid mistakes. In a study, 43% of folks who fell for phishing emails said they looked real, and 41% thought the email came from a boss or a famous company.
For even better protection, companies should use cybersecurity tools that stop bad emails from getting to employees. This includes a SPAM filter that spots viruses, ransomware, emails from no-name senders, and other signs of trouble.
How Al Zajed Can Protect You in a Phishing Attack?
Al Zajed Technologies is like a superhero for your important business data. Block email threats, including spam, phishing, business email compromise (BEC), account takeover (ATO), malware, advanced persistent threats (APTs), and zero-days before they reach end users’ mailboxes. Leverage this next-generation, cloud-based email security solution for holistic protection.
Have you ever deleted a Gmail contact only to realize it was a big mistake?Well, you can relax because as long as you made the change in the last 30 days, your contact information is not lost forever. You can recover deleted contacts from google account.
Gmail has your back! It keeps a 30-day history of every contact in your address book. So, if you accidentally delete one or more contacts, all it takes are a few simple clicks to bring them back. Your contacts are safe and sound!
Certainly, here’s a revised version of your statement:
Smartphones and Google have truly transformed our lives. Your Gmail account now has the power to store an unlimited number of contacts, all readily accessible through your phone’s contact app. The best part? Everything seamlessly syncs to the cloud, meaning you can say goodbye to the anxiety of losing your contacts, no matter what may happen to your physical phone or SIM card. Your precious contacts are safe and sound in the digital world.
How to recover deleted contacts from google account?
2. Tap or click on the Settings (gear) icon in the upper right corner.
3. Tap or click Undo changes.
4. Choose the timeframe you’d like to restore from, anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 days ago, then tap or click Undo.
5. Gmail will confirm by saying, “Your contacts list will be restored back to how it was on [date you chose]. It may take some time for these changes to show up on your device.
A network security assessment evaluates a computer network’s security by identifying vulnerabilities in its components and assessing their resistance to cyber threats. Professionals assess network components like firewalls, routers, switches, servers, and endpoints for their ability to resist cyberattacks and prevent unauthorized access.
Why are network security assessment important?
Network security assessments are crucial for protecting an organization’s sensitive data from cyberattacks. They help find and fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. These assessments also ensure compliance with industry regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001, protecting the organization’s reputation and finances.
Regular assessments serve these vital purposes:
Assess Security Effectiveness: Gauge how well your security measures and policies work.
Evaluate Cyber Risk: Understand the risk and potential harm of a cyberattack on your business.
Predict Attack Likelihood: Estimate the chances of successful network attacks.
Enhance Security: Find areas to strengthen security controls for better protection.
Apart from reducing security risks, network security assessments provide these advantages:
Compliance Assurance: Meeting industry-specific regulations like HIPAA or PCI DSS is crucial. Assessments ensure compliance, preventing costly penalties.
Security Awareness: Regular assessments promote security awareness among employees, encouraging best practices.
Effective Incident Response: In case of a breach, assessment reports aid in quick and effective responses. Knowing vulnerabilities allows for timely mitigation actions.
Types of network security assessments:
Two key types of network security assessments are vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, both vital for evaluating and enhancing an organization’s cybersecurity.
Vulnerability Assessment: This process identifies and prioritizes network weaknesses, misconfigurations, and security issues using automated tools. It helps in understanding potential entry points, prioritizing fixes, and reducing the window for cyberattacks.
Penetration Testing: Also known as ethical hacking, it simulates real cyberattacks to uncover hidden vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Skilled professionals manually probe systems, offering insights that automated scans might miss. This aids in fine-tuning security measures and policies.
Network Security Assessment methodology:
A network security assessment follows a six-step process:
Inventory Assets: Identify and prioritize IT resources, like networks and data.
Find Vulnerabilities: Scan for weaknesses in both internal and external systems, databases, and policies.
Test Security: Actively assess security controls through testing, like ethical hacking.
Document Results: Summarize findings in reports to guide decisions.
Plan Fixes: Turn insights into action by implementing security measures and policies.
Monitor Continuously: Regularly watch for new threats and ensure compliance with security standards.
In short, this methodology helps organizations protect their networks and data while adhering to regulations.
Want to improve your SEO? Check out this list of free keyword tool that can help you find issues and boost your rankings. These tools use updated technology to analyze data, research, check your code, and perform other SEO site audit tasks efficiently.
The great news? You won’t need to empty your wallet. There are plenty of excellent free SEO tools that are perfectly suitable for smaller websites and SEO projects. What’s more, they frequently provide the same features and data as their paid counterparts.
This means that when your requirements surpass what the free version offers, transitioning to the paid versions for continued success is a smooth process.
For now, explore this list of free keyword tool for your site audits to kickstart your journey.
Ahrefs is a reputable and widely used SEO software suite that provides a range of features for keyword research, backlink analysis, competitor research, site audits, and more. However, access to these features typically required a subscription.
Ahrefs offers several keyword tools that provide a list of the top 100 keywords. These tools also show keyword volumes and indicate which search engines they are associated with, including Amazon, YouTube, Bing, and Google.
Ahrefs has explained where they gather this data, stating:
“Our free tools access the same database as our main tools. We collect data from sources like Google Keyword Planner, clickstream data, and data partnerships.”
Regardless of the data source, this tool is a valuable resource for generating topics for articles and content writing.
Siteliner offers a free duplicate content tool, powered by CopyScape, which is known for checking plagiarism.
The standout feature of Siteliner is its ability to find pages on your website that have similar content. This helps you find areas where you can improve your content.
It’s important for articles to have unique content. If multiple articles share the same content, it can cause de-indexing of the website in google search console.
By removing duplicate paragraphs across your articles, you can make your web pages stand out. Keep in mind that the scanner checks up to 250 pages, but it’s still helpful in identifying potential issues, especially with thin content pages.
The Worldwide Web Consortium has a handy HTML checker tool. It not only checks your HTML but also shows how your headings (like H1, H2, etc.) appear on a web page. This is valuable for understanding how Google sees your webpage or a competitor’s.
To see the heading outline as Google does, just select “Show Outline.” The results can reveal issues with your website’s design.
If the tool struggles with your HTML, try this: restart the process, go to “More Options,” and select a document type. This should make the heading checker work smoothly.
Netpeak Spider is a crawling tool with a generous free version that can check up to 100,000 URLs. It looks at more than 80 SEO problems and over 100 technical website issues. It also helps with competitor research.
In summary, the free Netpeak Spider tool is a great companion to the free Screaming Frog tool because they offer different features and ways to present data.
MobileMoxie offers Mobile SEO Tools that are very useful.
Their SERP checker shows how your website ranks on various mobile phone screens. What’s great is that you can pick any city in the world to see local rankings. This is handy for local SEO and working with clients in different locations.
They also have a Web Page Checker that displays how your webpage appears on different mobile phones. This helps you optimize your site for better performance on various devices.
The tool is fully functional and free to use three times. It’s a versatile tool for mobile SEO and local rankings.
Xenu Link Sleuth is a classic free SEO tool that acts as a site crawler.
It’s mainly known for finding broken links, both internal and external, and giving you a report about them. But, it’s not just for broken links. Xenu also offers reports on page titles, orphaned pages, redirects, and pages that can’t be found (404 errors).
In essence, it’s a versatile tool for checking various aspects of your website’s health.
Answer the Public is a well-known and free keyword tool that deserves a mention.
Here’s how it works: you start by entering your keyword, and it gives you a visual map of popular keyword phrases categorized by question types like who, what, where, when, and how.
For instance, if you entered “SEO,” it would show you related questions like “What is SEO?” or “How does SEO work?”.
It also gives you the keyword data in a spreadsheet, neatly organized by question type. It’s a great tool for brainstorming content ideas and understanding what people are searching for.
The DNS Checker tool checks if your website works properly worldwide. It finds problems with server settings that stop Google and others from reaching your site. I once fixed a big issue with it when Google couldn’t access a site because of a bad server setting. If your site is hard to reach for search engines or users, use the DNS Checker tool.
GTmetrixis a popular online tool used to measure and analyze the performance of websites. It provides valuable insights into a website’s speed, loading time, and overall performance. GTmetrix assesses websites using various metrics, including Google’s PageSpeed and Yahoo’s YSlow, and presents a detailed report with recommendations for optimizing the site’s performance.
Website owners and developers use GTmetrix to identify and resolve issues that can impact user experience and search engine rankings. By analyzing factors such as page load times, image optimization, code efficiency, and more, GTmetrix helps users fine-tune their websites for improved speed and responsiveness. It’s a valuable resource for optimizing web performance and ensuring a better browsing experience for visitors.
YSlow Performance Audit is a part of the YSlow tool, which helps website owners and developers make their websites work better. It is like a special add-on for web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
When you use YSlow Performance Audit, it checks how well your website is doing in different areas like loading speed and how it delivers content. It uses specific rules and tips to tell you what you can do to make your website faster and more efficient. This can make your website work better and make visitors happier.
As Hackers faced more complex and complicated challenges, their strategies and efforts also changing depending on the threats and the security of the system.
One of these strategies includes Advanced Persistent Threat, which is nearly impossible to detect and difficult to prevent. How can companies of all sizes keep their networks and customer data safe from advanced persistent threats (APTs)?
What is Advance Persistent Threat?
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) are highly sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks. These are typically carried out by well-funded and organized groups, often state-sponsored, with the goal of infiltrating a specific target, such as a government agency, corporation, or organization.
APT in cyber security are known for their persistence and stealth, as they aim to remain undetected for an extended period while stealing sensitive information, disrupting operations, or conducting espionage. These attacks involve multiple stages, including initial infiltration, lateral movement within the network, and data exfiltration, making them difficult to detect and mitigate.
Rather than using broad and complex approach, APT are designed with specific target in mind. Due to this, they are developed according to the design and security of the targeted system. They first investigate and measure the security of the targeted system. They often attack by targeting the weak points or phishing links.
The main goal of Advanced persistence threat is to get access to the system rather than logging in to the system fast and furiously. This allows them to steal any type of data they want and hack the system.
One of the primary ways to advanced persistent threat to get access to the system is through network credentials. Hackers use company’s employee accounts through phishing links and get access to the system. This Helps them to remain anonymous and undetected and steal any data they want without being predicted.
Phases of advanced persistent threats:
Following are the main phases of advance persistent threat:
Investigation and reconnaissance: Due to the targeted nature of these attacks, the process starts by using their resources that may be internal or external to learn about system security and the weak points that should be targeted.
Initial entry: Once the weak points originated as we discussed in the previous phase, hackers exploit them and make their initial attempt on the system.
Foothold and movement: Once they get access to the system through weak points, their main goal is to remain undetected and get strong place and hold.
Continual attack: At this point data is collected and passed back and forth from the attacker’s network. The threat will remain on the network until it is detected, which could be months or even years. The persistence of the threat is clearly seen.
How does EDR fight ATP?
Endpoint Detection and response analyze whole network and check the endpoint activity on whole network, track each activity, data flow and track behaviors for efficient workflow.
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) is like a cyber watchdog. It uses smart technology to watch what people do on your computer network in real-time. If it sees something weird, like too many late-night logins or big data transfers, it generates an alert so you can catch and stop the bad stuff before it stays hidden for a long time.
It is constantly monitoring your network activity so you can rest assured that anything unusual will be brought to light. It gives you the opportunity to fight back before additional damage is done.
EDR platform supports your security team by consolidating the data into reports. That reports can be analyzed by security experts—it streamlines how the alerts and attack data are managed. EDR computer security also works with your antivirus and other security tools to fight against even the most advanced attacks.
Time to challenge ATP:
Now, its time to protect your system from advance persistent threat by using endpoint detection and response tools. Acronis and Dsafe are the best EDR platform that offer best and secure platform that focuse mainly on endpoint security.
In today’s world, almost all businesses rely on important equipment and computer systems. So, it’s really crucial to have a backup power system called a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). This UPS helps protect your network and machines in case the power goes out or there’s a sudden surge in electricity. However, to pick the right UPS, you need to figure out how much power it needs to provide. UPS Sizing Calculator will help you to figure out this.
To do this, you should find out how much power all your equipment uses. Think of it like adding up the power needed for each device. This power is measured in something called VA (Volt-Amps). You also need to know how long you want the UPS to keep things running when the power is out.
In simple terms, sizing a UPS means figuring out how much power your stuff needs, so you can choose a UPS that can handle it and keep things running for as long as you need it when the power is out.
Identify Which components need to be protected by UPS.
You don’t have to protect all your equipment with a UPS. To choose the right UPS size, you should separate your equipment into two groups:
Critical Load: These are the things you can’t afford to lose power, like important computers and machines you use for work.
Non-Critical Load: These are the things that can handle losing power for a while, like some lights or less important devices.
By doing this, you make sure you don’t buy a UPS that’s too big and expensive. You focus on keeping only the most important stuff running during a power problem.
How to calculate the size of UPS System? What do you need to know?
When getting a UPS system, the main thing is the backup time of UPS to safely turn off your equipment when powers go out. Normally, it stores electricity in a battery and uses it when there’s a power problem. The UPS’s power is measured in something called VA rating.
But, when picking a UPS, it’s not just about the VA rating. It’s more important to know how much stuff you’re connecting to it. This is called the ‘load.’
When you know how much power all your equipment uses, add up those numbers. This gives you the minimum UPS size you need.
But here’s the important part: It’s not a good idea to use a UPS at 100% of its capacity. It’s safer to have some extra room. So, take your total number and multiply it by 1.2 to 1.25. This extra space ensures your UPS works better and is more reliable.
For a regular computer with one screen, it’s usually less than 300 VA. But to have enough time to turn it off safely, you’ll need a UPS with at least 650 VA.
If you’re running a big data center with lots of servers, you’ll need a big UPS to keep everything running until the power comes back.
Recommended Tool to calculate the size of UPS System : Delta
So, when you’re choosing a UPS, think about how much stuff you’re plugging into it, not just the VA rating. That way, you’ll get the right size for your needs by using of UPS Sizing calculator.
Select the Perfect UPS System to Shield Your Business from Power Shortages and Ensure Continuous Operations!
Ransomware has become a widespread threat to individuals and businesses worldwide in the past few years. It is a type of malware that encrypts data on a victim’s computer, demands a ransom to be paid in order to decrypt the data, and threatens to destroy it if the ransom is not paid. Ransomware attacks can have devastating effects on individuals and entire organizations, leading to financial losses, damage to reputation, and loss of sensitive information.
One of the common questions people often ask is whether they can get hit by someone else’s ransomware. The answer is yes, and it’s not a far-fetched concept. Here’s how it can happen.
Ransomware can spread through different methods, including email phishing, unauthorized downloads, and network vulnerabilities. If someone within your network gets infected with ransomware, there’s a good chance it will spread throughout the entire network. This means that if your coworker or someone else within your organization falls victim to ransomware, your computer could also become infected.
Furthermore, ransomware attacks can also occur through remote desktop protocol (RDP) connections. This is a vulnerability that allows cybercriminals to use stolen credentials to access remote machines and deploy ransomware. If someone else within your organization or even external attackers gain unauthorized access to your RDP connection, they can potentially infect your system with ransomware.
Another way that you can get hit by someone else’s ransomware is through malicious websites. These websites are designed to trick users into downloading malware or granting access to sensitive information. If someone within your network visits a malicious website, they could unintentionally download ransomware onto their computer, which could potentially spread to your system as well.
In conclusion, the threat of ransomware is real, and it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your organization. One of the best ways to prevent ransomware attacks is to educate employees about the risks and provide them with training on how to identify and avoid phishing attempts. Additionally, using anti-virus software, keeping software up-to-date, and limiting access to sensitive information can also help prevent ransomware attacks. Remember, prevention is key when it comes to ransomware, and being vigilant can save you or your company from a potentially devastating attack.
In a data center, the power chain is the sequence of infrastructure equipment that distributes power from its source all the way to the IT devices.
Most data centers use alternating current (AC) power, though telecommunications companies typically use direct current (DC) power. There are pros and cons to each, and they require different equipment.
Understanding your data center power chain is important because it helps you ensure redundancy and uptime, intelligently perform capacity planning, and simplify troubleshooting.
What is the Difference Between AC and DC Power Data Centers?
The key differences between data centers that utilize AC or DC power are:
Current direction. With AC power, the flow of electrons is constantly changing directions back and forth. The current changes 60 times per second in North America and 50 times per second in Europe. With DC power, the flow is linear in one direction.
Transformers. Voltage can be easily transformed with AC power. The power comes into the facility at 600V or 480V and a transformer steps it down to 208V or 120V. DC power chains do not include transformers.
Power interruption. AC power data centers use UPS units and batteries to provide backup power in the event of a main power failure. The AC power is converted to DC power for storage, and during an outage, it Is converted back to AC and distributed downstream. DC power data centers use power plants with batteries that store energy for emergencies, and no conversion is required.
Standardization. AC power is the current standard. DC power does not have the same standard for voltages and connectors that AC does. There is also less options on the market for DC power equipment such as air conditioning and fire protection systems.
Space. DC power equipment is less complex and takes up less physical space than AC power equipment.
Scalability. DC power systems are more modular and can be easily scaled up by adding more battery strings as the load increases.
Run time. The run time provided by DC battery strings is greater than the run time provided by a UPS for the same load.
Load balancing. AC power may be in three-phases which requires load balancing.
Efficiency. Converting power from AC or DC to the other results in power loss and heat. DC power systems require less conversions, so they are typically more energy-efficient.
What Objects Are in a Typical AC Power Chain?
A typical data center with an AC power distribution system will include the following objects, roughly in this order:
Utility feed. The main source of power during normal data center operations is the feed coming directly from the local power utility company.
Transformers. Transformers reduce the voltage of incoming power to a level that is appropriate for the next piece of equipment in the power chain.
Automatic transfer switch (ATS). Downtime is expensive and must be kept to a minimum. In the event of a power failure, the ATS seamlessly transitions to an emergency power source. Once power is restored, the ATS returns the load back to the utility feed.
Generators and fuel tanks. During a power outage, diesel generators are a common emergency power source that the ATS transfers the load to until the utility feed is restored.
Switchgears. The power from the utility feeds into the switchgear which splits and distributes the power into any number of outgoing circuits that power various critical and non-critical loads of the facility.
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). UPS units store energy that is temporarily deployed during an outage. When there is a power failure, it can take 10 to 15 seconds for the generator to reach full power. During that time, UPS units provide emergency power until the backup power can support the load, and their batteries can typically provide power for up to 30 minutes.
Floor power distribution units (PDUs). Floor-mounted PDUs act as a bridge between the facility’s primary power and the data center. They transform and distribute the incoming power to groups of remote power panels or busways.
Remote power panels (RPPs). RPPs distribute, control, and monitor the power going to groups of racks with IT equipment.
Busways. An alternative to RPPs, busways are located above rows of server racks.
Rack PDUs. Rack PDUs are power strips that are installed in pairs in each individual server rack. To provide redundancy, each IT device is plugged into an outlet on each rack PDU which are part of separate power paths. Rack PDUs can be basic (also known as “dumb”) or intelligent. Depending on the model, intelligent rack PDUs can be monitored, metered (at the inlet or outlet), and or switched.
What Objects Are in a Typical DC Power Chain?
A typical data center with an DC power distribution system will include the following objects, roughly in this order:
Utility feed. As with an AC data center, the power for a DC data center comes from the local utility company as AC power.
Power plants. In the facility, power plants consist of a rack with a rectifier and batteries. The rectifiers convert the incoming AC power into DC power and charge the battery strings that keep the plant running for a period of time during an outage until the utility power is restored.
DC bays. Battery distribution fuse bays (BDFBs) and battery distribution circuit breaker bays (BDCBBs) split the incoming power from the power plant into multiple feeds for downstream equipment. The key difference between them is that BDFBs protect against overloaded circuits while BDCDBBs protect against overloads and short circuits.
Fuse alarm panels. Fuse alarm panels (FAPs) are similar to rack PDUs in an AC power chain. They are mounted in racks and provide power distribution and protection to the IT devices within those racks.
Whether you have an AC or DC power chain in your data center, you need to understand the objects in your power chain and know the health of your system.
With modern DCIM software, you can track all the items in your AC or DC power chain from the power source down to the compute devices and track their electrical characteristics and interconnections. This makes it easy to understand the power capacity and load at any node in the system.
DCIM software also automatically generates dynamic and interactive single-line diagrams that help you visualize your power chain in a single pane of glass. You can track the utility feed, generator and fuel tanks, transformers, load devices, UPS units, AC panels, floor PDUs, DC power plants, and DC bays, track all draw-out breaker and disconnect switches, track breaker status, and see a details panel for each node that includes budgeted and actual values for voltage, current, power rating, highest/lowest phase, and more.
Data centers account for more than 2% of total global energy consumption. If action is not taken, it is estimated that data centers will be responsible for 8% of global energy consumption by 2030.
Data center managers are under increased pressure to comply with corporate sustainability initiatives and dramatically increase their efficiency. To support their efforts, many data center professionals are turning to Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software.
DCIM software helps you improve data center sustainability by enabling you to:
1. Stop wasting energy by overcooling equipment.
One of the biggest roadblocks to data center sustainability is the overcooling of equipment. The average data center has 3.9 times more cooling capacity than the IT load requires. This is a large waste of energy and money.
ASHRAE recommends that temperatures at the server intake should be between 65-80° F, yet many data centers are either at the low end of that range or even below it due to risk-averse data center managers who do not want to risk downtime due to overheated equipment. However, you can save 4-5% in energy costs for every 1° F you increase the temperature and increasing temperatures can be done without introducing the risk of downtime.
DCIM makes it easy to stop wasteful overcooling by monitoring temperature sensor data and transforming it into actionable insights. For example, ASHRAE cooling charts show you which cabinets are operating outside recommended ranges, 3D thermal map time-lapse videos make it easy to identify the formation of hot spots, and threshold alerts automatically notify you when a cabinet is getting too cool or warm.
You simply have to identify where you can raise temperature set points in your DCIM tool and slowly make those adjustments while monitoring the temperatures to ensure they don’t exceed your recommended range.
2. Find and shut down energy-wasting ghost servers.
Ghost servers are servers physically running in your facility but not performing any useful function. In an average data center, up to 30% of all servers could be ghost servers and all they do is waste energy and resources. It is crucial to identify and remove them so you can save energy and free up power, space, cooling, and cabling capacity.
With DCIM software, it’s easy to know which of your servers are ghost servers. DCIM software monitors live measured data from intelligent rack PDUs and modern solutions have a built-in ghost server report.
With this report, you can see which servers are drawing less than 50W over time. Add up their energy consumption to know how much energy and money you can save by removing them. DCIM software provides the exact rack and U position for each server and the change management capabilities allow you to create requests to decommission them. After removing the ghost servers from your data center, you can use your DCIM tool to track your improvements in energy consumption, PUE, and available capacity in real time.
3. Improve the energy efficiency of your private cloud or virtual environment.
Modern organizations have large estates of servers in which some are older and less efficient than others. If you operate your data center like a cloud in a virtualized environment, your virtual instances may differ in efficiency depending on the physical servers they are located on.
Second-generation DCIM software allows you to automate and optimize virtual machine management by integrating with VMware. The integration lets you register for “events” including a new cluster, host, or virtual machine being deployed that will automatically populate into your DCIM. Customers report that the integration is a simple set up with an out-of-the-box connector and only takes 3 to 4 minutes.
You can achieve your sustainability goals faster by moving virtual instances to the most efficient servers. This can also decrease hardware costs, quicken the provisioning of resources, and help identify and decommission non-functioning servers.
4. Track sustainability metrics like PUE
One of the most common ways to measure data center sustainability is through the metric Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). PUE measures the overall efficiency of a data center and indicates how much of the total facility’s total energy consumption is being used by IT equipment in ratio form, with a PUE of 1.0 being 100% efficient. While the Uptime Institute reports that the average PUE is 1.58, your goal should be under 1.4 or 1.5 depending on your facility.
Tracking PUE helps sustainability because you can monitor energy efficiency over time and spot changes at certain points in time like at peak loads or by season. Access to this information can help you make more informed decisions about energy consumption and how to better increase efficiency.
DCIM software provides automatic PUE charts in real-time so you don’t have to waste time collecting energy bills and power meter readings and performing manual calculations. Instead, you can focus that time on projects that will improve your energy efficiency.
While PUE is important, there are many data center sustainability metrics that, together, provide a more holistic view of your sustainability. DCIM software can be used to track how many of your cabinets are compliant with ASHRAE standards, delta-T per cabinet, stranded power capacity per rack, temperature per cabinet, carbon footprint, and more.
5. Drive more efficient behavior with customer bill back reports.
Since internal and external customers might not always comply with energy efficiency best practices, it’s important to drive awareness and accountability by charging them for the energy they actually use. DCIM software can generate bill back reports so you can monitor the cost of energy per customer, business unit, or application with extreme accuracy. When customers see their report, they can be encouraged to become more conscious of their energy consumption and contribute to improving sustainability.
As new cyber threats, such as malware and viruses, develop every day – getting an antivirus protection for your device is crucial. Even something as simple as downloading an application or the file that your acquaintances sent via email can end up with your device getting infected.
Even though the latest operating systems, such as Windows 11 and 10, have in-built security solutions, they’re not comprehensive enough to provide all-around virus protection.
Aside from safeguarding your devices from threats, a high-quality antivirus can do much more. Whether it’s keeping your data anonymous with a VPN service, protecting your login credentials with a password manager, or limiting some websites with parental controls, you can get all that with a single security suite.
In this article, we’re going to help you choose the best antivirus software of 2023. These picks are a combination of recommendations by independent laboratories, including Virus Bulletin, AV-TEST, and AV-Comparatives. Antivirus programs were also tested by our own researchers to provide you with first-hand experience.
Note: We regularly test and research antivirus software to update this list with products that are of the highest quality.
Choosing the best antivirus might seem challenging at first. There are so many options offering a variety of features. So, how to decide which one suits your needs?
Here are a few simple factors that you should consider before choosing an antivirus:
Look for a constantly updating malware database. New cyber threats are being constantly developed to ensure antivirus programs can’t detect them. For such a reason, we only included providers that are known for regular malware database updates.
Check security features. The best antivirus solutions should include more than just malware protection. It should provide you with other features you may need, for example, a VPN, a password manager, or any other protection measures. Unless you already have such tools, you can opt for more feature-rich services.
Seek for all-around antivirus protection. If you’re not the only one using a computer or a mobile device, you should consider getting an antivirus that would provide extra protection. Some providers have solid parental control features while others protect your whole home network and alert about possible dangers.
Consider your budget. Not all antivirus programs offer the same bang-for-the-buck ratio. That’s why spending less (or more) can sometimes get you many more features.
Try the software first. You can always make use of the money-back guarantee that antivirus services offer to try the product out. This way, you’ll test it out yourself and see whether or not it’s worth the money you’re paying.
Top 10 best antivirus software – detailed list:
All of our listed providers have the necessary tools to provide maximum malware protection and bonus features that you may find useful. Without further ado, let’s dive into the detailed descriptions of all 10 best antivirus programs.
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – best overall antivirus protection in 2023
Max simultaneous connections:
5 devices
Free version:
Yes
Platforms:
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Bitdefender is the best antivirus of 2023 because it offers exceptional malware protection rates and security from all types of malware. Depending on the plan you pick, Bitdefender can become your all-in-one cybersecurity suite with a VPN and a password manager.
During independent lab tests, Bitdefender blocked 100% of both 0-day and 4-week old malware. We tried testing it ourselves, and it blocked all 10 of the zero-day threats we challenged it with. The quick scan took 2 minutes, while the full one – 14 minutes.
You can get Bitdefender on various OS, including Windows and macOS computers, or iOS and Android. Each app is neatly organized and beginner-friendly, ensuring you easily adapt to it fast.
Bitdefender’s full cybersecurity suite includes advanced malware, ransomware, webcam, and microphone protection. You’ll also get a password manager and even a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with a daily data limit of 200 MB for keeping you anonymous online.
Pros
Best malware protection
Excellent core
Feature-rich
Great free version
Excellent value for money
Frequent updates
Exceptional scores in independent tests
Cons
Full VPN access requires paying extra
2. Norton 360 Antivirus – premium antivirus with top security features
Max simultaneous connections:
10 devices
Free version:
No
Platforms:
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Another optimal antivirus pick is Norton 360 antivirus. Its malware detection rates are just as great as Bitdefender’s, while the apps are very simple to get a hang of. Norton 360 is convenient for those who wish for a seamless antivirus experience.
Independent lab test results showed that the antivirus catches 100% of zero-day malware, has minimal impact on the speeds, and detects no false positives. Our own tests showed similar results. The real-time protection feature instantly blocked all threats as soon as we released them. However, the full scan was quite heavy on system resources.
As for features, you get such extra security measures as a smart firewall, secure cloud backup, a VPN, and a password manager. A strong contender to Bitdefender indeed.
We tried all available apps (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) – the interface is organized and easy to navigate on all of them. However, some of the extra features open up in different tabs. Inconvenience for some, nothing of importance to others – it’s your call.
Pros
Excellent protection
Plenty of extras
Powerful identity-theft suite
Basic free version
Easy-to-use
Optimization tools
Cons
On the pricier side
3. TotalAV – the essential free antivirus package
Max simultaneous connections:
6 devices
Free version:
Yes
Platforms:
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
With excellent malware detection rates, TotalAV earns one of the top spots on our best antivirus list. It successfully blocks 97% of zero-day and 100% of 4-week old malware attacks, guaranteeing exceptional protection against various cyber threats.
When testing in-house, TotalAV found 7 out of 10 malicious files during the full scan. It was quite heavy on resources, but scanned only for around 7 minutes. The quick scan was, well… quick. It took 14 seconds and had virtually no visible effects on resources: that was really impressive to see.
In terms of the apps, the interface of both dedicated mobile (Android and iOS) and desktop (Windows and macOS) apps is well-organized and simple, just like the installation process itself.
The antivirus also has useful security features that come free of charge. Without spending a single dollar, you get a malware scanner and anti-phishing protection.
If you do get a paid subscription, your security coverage expands a great deal with real-time protection and ransomware shields. On top of that, it also includes a Cloud Scanner, a Disk Cleaner, and optimization tools. These will help you free up some space in your hard drive and make your startup more efficient.
TotalAV also offers a VPN with unlimited data, a password manager, and an Ad Blocker to ensure safe online browsing.
Pros
Robust internet security package
Intuitive apps
Fast customer support response times
Real-time and cloud protection
Includes optimisation tools
Cons
Only covers six devices
The browser extension isn’t particularly user friendly
Safe Search doesn’t always work
4. Surfshark Antivirus – great all-around protection with a top VPN
Max simultaneous connections:
5
Free version:
No
Platforms:
Windows, macOS, Android
Surfshark is primarily known as a VPN provider – but its excellent antivirus suite makes it so much more. It’s a great internet security suite of features for all your online safety needs.
Fully certified by independent antivirus testing labs, Surfshark Antivirus can block 100% of threats. In our tests, the full scan was exceptionally fast, covering over 100,000 files in just 90 seconds and finding 7 out of 10 potentially malicious files.
In terms of features, there’s real-time protection that protects your system at all times. There’s also Data Breach Protection which checks for your personal data leaked on various internet databases. There’s even a secure search engine, where everything stays strictly private, and neither search history nor activity logs are collected.
And of course, there’s also a wildcard: Surfshark has one of the best VPNs in the business, keeping your privacy intact when surfing online while offering some of the best speeds in the industry.
The antivirus is available on Windows PC, macOS, and Android devices. All of the apps are very neatly organized and simple to use.
Pros
User-friendly
Top-notch VPN included
Private search engine
Real-time protection
Customizable scans
Cons
No firewall
Scans take longer than usual
ID check isn’t available in all countries
5. NordVPN Threat Protection – top real-time threat protection and an excellent VPN
NordVPN is one of the world’s most popular VPN providers. But in recent years, the company has been steadily moving towards becoming an all-in-one data privacy solution. Now, NordVPN is an excellent security package. It not only hides your IP address but also offers real-time protection against various online threats.
The new NordVPN Threat Protection is an extra layer of defense. This feature ensures your browsing experience isn’t affected by various threats found across the web. This means protecting your devices from malware, tracking, malicious ads, and overall hackers.
The Threat Protection feature identifies malware-affected files you’re downloading, and proactively stops you from landing on infected websites. It also blocks annoying ads and trackers found on many websites.
All of these features don’t require an active VPN connection to work: as long as the NordVPN app is on and Threat Protection is enabled, it will keep working in the background, providing additional protection as you browse.
And of course, we can’t ignore that NordVPN is a VPN: and the best one in its class, letting you access worldwide streaming content and stay protected when connected to unsecured wi-fi networks. With the new protection features, it’s an excellent all-around solution if you’re simply looking to stay safer every time you browse.
Pros
Powerful ad blocker
Real-time download scanner
Top class VPN included
Solid protection from trackers
Simple to use all-in-one package
Cons
No real-time system scans
No advanced scanning features
6. ESET NOD32 – the best lightweight antivirus software
Max simultaneous connections:
10 devices
Free version:
No
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android
ESET NOD32 is the leading Slovak cybersecurity product, and offers a very solid and reliable antivirus suite – well worth a place on our best antivirus software list. The independent testing lab scores don’t disappoint – the antivirus is categorized as a Top Product that blocks 100% of attempted attacks.
To make sure of that, we did some testing ourselves. While the scanning options were confusing at first, the custom scan (which appears to be a mixture of quick and full ones) found all threats that we challenged it with. System resources were allocated well, too: other apps that were on, experienced no major performance issues during the scans.
You can get ESET on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. Unfortunately, it’s not available on iOS, but other apps are clean and user-friendly. Considering the Apple ecosystem’s security, this might not be a big problem.
With its core package, you get real-time protection against malware and ransomware. But, if you’re worrying that the NOD32 Essential Protection might not be enough, you can opt for ESET Advanced Protection which includes the Safe Browsing feature to prevent harmful JavaScript injections and a network monitoring tool.
For those who want to go all-in, there’s an option to pick the ESET Ultimate Protection package. It will add a password managerandencryption for personal files.
What’s really exceptional about ESET NOD32 is that it’s cloud-based and offloads most of the heavy processing to their servers. This means much less work for your device and better performance.
7. McAfee Total Protection – great cross-platform support with basic plan
Max simultaneous connections:
10 devices
Free version:
Yes
Platforms:
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
McAfee falls into the category of our top antivirus software suites since it offers not only protection against the latest cyber threats but also provides additional security features, doing more than just basic malware protection.
Independent testing labs have examined the security capabilities of this antivirus and show that it catches 100% of both 0-day and 4-week old cyber threats. They rated its performance, protection, and usability with 6 out of 6 points.
We tested McAfee ourselves and threw 10 malicious files for it to detect. While the quick scan found none of them, the full scan blocked all threats not even halfway through the scan. This is a rare sight to see even with the best antiviruses. So, although the system resources can take a toll on your device performance, the final results are worth the wait.
What’s also worth mentioning is that McAfee supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android operating systems and offers pretty easy-to-use apps.
McAfee’s core package includes a VPN, a password manager, file encryption, and a file shredder, among other features.
Additionally, the antivirus provides identity theft protection and security for your network as well. The Home Network Security allows managing all devices connected to the wifi and alerts you of any intrusion attempts.
Pros
All plans support major platforms
Generous device limits
Basic package is feature-rich
Solid firewall
Home Network Security feature is a godsend
Cons
Some independent test results are poor
Performance could be better
Apple products have fewer features
8. Avira Antivirus – best free plan on the market
Max simultaneous connections:
25 devices
Free version:
Yes
Platforms:
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Avira Antivirus is one of the best antivirus software packages available in both free and premium segments that also offers outstanding protection. It showed impressive scores from independent test labs, successfully blocking 99.2% of cyber threats.
As for our initiated tests, Avira distinguished itself with a super fast full scan – it took only 3 minutes and 30 seconds. But get this – it also managed to block all 10 malicious files. Although the CPU was high the whole time, it shouldn’t be considered a drawback since it only takes a few minutes.
Avira antivirus is compatible with the most popular operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS). However, not all features are available for macOS – email protection and download scans are for Windows users only.
As for features, without opening up your wallet, you can get a VPN, a firewall, and a password generator when most of the time you’ll be paying extra to get some or all of them.
Apart from that, this antivirus has advanced ransomware protection, web protection for safe online shopping, email protection, and a file shredder. There’s also automatic software updating feature, a tool for browser safety, and a password manager along with regular malware protection solutions.
Furthermore, what distinguishes Avira from other antiviruses is its PC optimization tools. For example, you can speed up the booting of your device.
Pros
Feature-rich free version
Compatible with all major platforms
Real-time protection
Features to protect online browsing
Includes VPN services
Cons
Some features are only available on Windows
Browser extension is needed to use all of its features
Delayed response from the customer support
9. Trend Micro – simple and secure antivirus for online threat protection
Max simultaneous connections:
10 devices
Free version:
Yes (Android and iOS)
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS
Trend Micro is another solid antivirus software that can help you protect your devices from cyber threats. During independent lab tests, this antivirus showed the ability to catch 100% of the latest malware during the examination.
Our tests demonstrated that while there were a few spikes, the antivirus wasn’t heavy on system resources in general. The virus scanner managed to delete 8 threats out of 10 in under 9 minutes.
Trend Micro is compatible with all major operating systems (including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) so that you could use it on both desktop and mobile devices, and it’s ideal for beginners. However, it does take ages to uninstall the app.
In terms of features, this antivirus uses AI technologies to scan for malware. Aside from that, Trend Micro offers PayGuard and Folder Shield for safe shopping and document protection from ransomware. You can also enjoy using Social Media Privacy Protection, Fraud Buster, Dark Web Monitoring features, and a VPN to add an extra layer of security when browsing online.
But these features are not all. Trend Micro also gives the possibility to use system optimization tools and a password manager to boost your device’s performance and keep all of your credentials safe.
Pros
Strong protection against online threats
Real-time protection
30-day free trial
Great desktop app
Up to 10 devices with Premium plans
Cons
No webcam protection for Windows computer
Limited licensing options
No built-in firewall
10. Malwarebytes – simple and intuitive antivirus platform
Max simultaneous connections:
5 devices
Free version:
Yes
Platforms:
Windows, Android, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS
Malwarebytes is another solid anti-malware program that does the job really well. Itperforms admirably in independent lab testing, especially when it comes to detecting malware. Let it be a zero-day old recent threat or one that’s been around for more than 4 weeks, it stops 100% of them.
Malwarebytes had quite an impact on system resources during our in-house test. So we wouldn’t recommend launching any apps during full scans. Additionally, it found 7 out of 10 threats during the 6 minute scan.
You can install Malwarebytes on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms. They’re very simple and allow you to set different scans, including daily threat scans.
Malwarebytes uses real-time malware protection to monitor your device activity and stop any potential cyber threats before they enter the system. Additionally, there’s a ransomware prevention feature to help you avoid file-encrypting viruses from attacking your device.
What’s also worth mentioning is that Malwarebytes includes exploit protection which is useful when stopping malware from both infecting the device and spreading further.
When it comes to extra features, Malwarebytes offers a VPN to help you encrypt your Internet traffic and protect private information when browsing online. Not only will your devices be protected from viruses, but also incoming and outgoing internet traffic and other data.
Pros
Good virus protection rates
Great user interface
Minimal CPU usage
Browser security extension
Plan with a VPN available
Cons
No live chat support
Adding extra devices costs more
Lacks certain premium features
How we tested the best antivirus software
esting the best antivirus solutions isn’t as difficult as ranking them afterwards. Our first step was to weed out all of the software that doesn’t meet our security standards. This includes programs with low malware detection rates (which is their primary job) and apps that are simply too buggy. Here’s how our testing process looked like:
Providers tested:
25
Operating systems used:
Windows, macOS, Android
Minimum virus detection rate:
>97%
Features tested:
Real-time protection, spam filters, firewall, parental controls, bonus features
Then, we ranked the providers with careful consideration of various factors. The most important aspects to consider were malware protection rates and extra features. However, that’s not all there is to it. Here are the main criteria we used to determine the best antivirus programs in 2023:
Independent antivirus testing. Such labs as AV-Test Institute, SE Labs, AV-Comparatives continuously put different antiviruses to a test. This way, we evaluate how well they detect malware and other threats.
In-house antivirus testing. Since independent lab tests aren’t performed every week or even month, we also put them to our own tests. We checked how well each antivirus can detect and block 10 zero-day malware files.
False positive record. Malware and other cyber threats are being constantly updated to ensure successful attacks. While even the best antivirus can’t catch it all 100% of the time, it’s important that the program doesn’t overreact too often.
Bonus features. We checked which antiviruses offer some extra benefits, such as firewalls, spam filters, secure browsers, or others, without overpricing it to boost your internet security overall.
Supported devices. Since many top antivirus products allow connecting multiple devices simultaneously, we looked for solutions that support various devices.
Performance. If you don’t have the latest hardware, an antivirus scan can hamper your device’s performance. We looked at providers that have as minimal effect on your resources as possible.
Ease of use. No matter how sophisticated the best antivirus software is, any user regardless of experience should be able to scan their device effortlessly.
Price. Having tested dozens of providers, we made sure the ones we suggest provide you with budget-friendly options and give you your money’s worth.
How does antivirus software work?
The way antivirus programs work is they scan your device, detect known malicious threats, and remove or quarantine them. They also regularly update themselves so they could also detect newly emerged threats. The so-called heuristic scan tries to detect unknown malware software by looking at the way your programs behave.
There are two types of scans that are usually available. The backgroundscan provides real-time protection by actively checking the programs that are currently opened.
In contrast, a full system scanchecks every file on your hard drive. It’s recommended to run one after installing the antivirus and after the real-time scan finds an infection.
Video review: Best antivirus of 2023
Best antivirus based on your OS
Different antivirus programs support different operating systems (OS). Yet, each OS works best with specifically customized antivirus software. So, after various tests, we picked Bitdefender as the best option for the most popular OS. It’s rich in features and offers excellent malware detection rates on top of a free version.
You can find our full lists of the best antivirus services for different OS down below:
Antivirus for Windows. Many providers focus on Windows app development the most, loading them with features. We’ve tested various providers to help you find the top antivirus programs for Windows 10 or Windows 11 for you.
Antivirus for Mac. Many antivirus programs for Mac laptops were ported from Windows PC antivirus protection programs. Naturally, many lack personalized features. So, we’ve tested and picked the best antivirus fully customized for Mac.
Antivirus for Chrome. It is said that Chromebooks are incredibly safe but not completely immune to malware. That’s why we researched the most suitable antivirus programs for Chrome OS.
Antivirus for Android. Even though Android devices have Google’s built-in security software, they’re not as protected as they should be. To secure your mobile even more, you can choose the best antivirus software that works for Android from our list.
Antivirus for iOS. It’s a pity how many antivirus providers skip developing applications for iOS. To help you make a suitable choice, we’ve made a list of the best antivirus options specifically for iOS devices.
Do you really need antivirus software?
No matter what level of IT skills and online browsing habits you have, an antivirus is a necessary addition to your cybersecurity posture.
Here are some of the reasons why you’d benefit from investing in an antivirus:
You often end up on suspicious websites. Unreliable websites are the primary source of various cyber threats that can infect your devices. Premium antivirus tools can block malicious sites and intrusive ads to help you avoid malware.
You shop online regularly. If you’re entering your credit card details nearly every day, it would be wise to use an antivirus that puts your transactions in an encrypted secure browser screen.
Your kids use your device. If you have children, making sure they stay safe is even more important. With the parental control features, such as webcam blocking, you can protect your children even while not at home. Chances are there are more than a few devices connected to your home wifi. A home antivirus can protect all of them at once, saving the hassle of catering to each separately.
You don’t have all-round protection. Whether you’re using a password manager, a VPN service, or a secure email as separate products or not, you can benefit from a quality antivirus suite. Nowadays, they incorporate most of these cybersecurity tools, so it’s significantly easier to use them and ensure all-round security of your device.
As the years go by, it’s less about viruses and malware but about cybersecurity in general. Keep in mind that great antivirus solutions are feature-rich and come cheaper than getting a file encryptor or a VPN separately.
Free vs. paid antivirus: should you pay?
Although free antivirus solutions can offer basic protection against malware and fulfill simple needs, you should pay if you want reliable and all-rounded security.
There’s one thing to remember – antivirus companies need to make money: either from premium plans or from your personal data. This means that an unreliable antivirus company can sell your information to hackers or other third parties.
Not to mention that some free antivirus software can includepop-up ads or even malicious programs that can infiltrate you with malware (the last thing you want from an antivirus).
So, if you still want to get a free service, look at serious and legitimate companies that offer the best and tested free antivirus services, for example, TotalAV. They’re still interested in you eventually paying for premium plans, but at least they won’t do you harm.
However, expect fewer features and serious limitations as you go. Often, free plans will let you run simple system scans. But features like custom scanning, ransomware protection, and advanced firewalls are usually only available when purchasing a premium plan.
Conclusion
Threat actors are lurking in various corners of cyberspace. One wrong move, be it clicking the wrong link or visiting a suspicious site, and you may infect your computer or another device with malware. For such a reason, using an antivirus, especially if it has a real-time protection feature, is crucial.
Only by regular scanning of your device can you protect yourself from personal data theft, including banking details. Our best recommendation is Bitdefender. It guarantees 100% malware protection rates as well as a wide feature array, including real-time protection and a VPN.
