Malware Protection

What is malware protection? 

Malware protection is a robust cyber security solution that adds an extra layer of security to your computer to protect against cyberattacks. Once downloaded to your device, malware protection periodically scans your computer to identify, quarantine, and eliminate any malware to keep your systems secure.

How malware protection works

Malware protection has evolved from basic “known threat” scanning into a layered defense system built to stop both familiar and unfamiliar attacks. 

Signature-based vs. behavioral detection

Traditional antivirus software relies on signature-based detection, which matches a file’s fingerprint against a database of known threats. This works well for known malware, but it can miss new variants, zero-day threats, or rapidly changing malware.

Behavioral detection focuses on what a program does, not what it looks like. It flags activity that suggests a malware attack, such as rapid file encryption, attempts to disable security controls, or unusual script execution. This is especially important for fileless malware, which may not leave a traditional file for signature-based antivirus protection to scan.

A multi-layered approach to defense

Effective malware protection uses multiple security layers so if one control misses a threat, another can still catch it and reduce impact:

• Threat intelligence  – Keeps defenses current by identifying emerging threats and known malicious infrastructure, improving detection and blocking decisions.
• Network protection – Inspects and controls traffic to block unauthorized access and prevent malware from communicating outward or spreading internally.
• Endpoint protection – Detects suspicious activity on devices and helps contain infections, supporting faster response and malware removal when needed.
• Cloud and SaaS security – Extends protection to cloud apps and services, helping reduce risk from unsafe sharing, misconfigurations, and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Most common types of malwares

There are several types of malwares, but 4 of the most common are:

1.  Worms – Entice users to click on malicious links, usually sent by email, to gain access to a system in order to replicate itself and spread to other computers.

2.  Trojans – Malicious code that downloads onto a device disguised as a legitimate program in order to gain access to a users’ system.

3.  Ransomware – a type of malicious software that infects a system and locks the user out of their files until a ransom is paid.

4.  Spyware and adware - a predatory software that hides a device and monitors activity to steal sensitive information such as bank details and passwords. It can also gain access to microphones and cameras.

Other types of malware

5. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) – Long-term, stealthy malware attacks where intruders maintain hidden access to a network to steal data or monitor activity over time.

6. Botnet – A network of compromised devices controlled by attackers to spread malware, launch DDoS attacks, or steal data without the owners’ knowledge.

7. Phishing and social engineering – Deceptive messages or tactics that trick users into clicking malicious links, opening attachments, or sharing credentials.

8. Polymorphic malware – Malware that constantly changes its code or appearance to evade signature-based antivirus detection.

9. IoT and mobile malware – Malware that targets connected devices and smartphones to hijack access, steal data, or spread through apps and insecure networks.

Key components of an enterprise malware protection strategy

A strong enterprise malware protection strategy goes standalone security software. It relies on a set of connected capabilities that work together to prevent a malware attack and speed up containment and malware removal when something slips through.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR adds real-time visibility into endpoint activity, helping teams see how malicious software behaves on a device, not just whether it matches a known signature. This makes it easier to investigate what happened, contain spread, and support faster remediation, especially for stealthy threats that bypass basic antivirus protection.

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)

NGFWs strengthen network defenses by inspecting traffic more deeply than traditional firewalls. They help detect and block suspicious connections, enforce application-aware controls, and reduce exposure when endpoints attempt to communicate with risky destinations. This limits lateral movement and can stop an attack chain before it reaches more sensitive systems.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

A SIEM solution centralizes logs and security events from across the environment, including endpoints, network controls, and servers. By correlating activity across sources, SIEM helps security teams spot broader attack patterns that individual tools may miss, which supports faster investigation and more coordinated incident response.

User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)

UEBA focuses on behavioral signals rather than signatures. It establishes what “normal” looks like for users and devices, then flags unusual activity, such as unexpected access to sensitive data or abnormal login behavior. UEBA is especially useful for detecting compromised accounts and insider-driven risk, even when no obvious malware signature exists.

Incorporating malware protection within your email security strategy

In a world where companies routinely fall prey to hackers, advanced malware protection has become critical to business success.

The headlines are full of businesses whose malware protection let them down. From viruses and Trojans to phishing and spear-phishing attacks, email security threats are among the biggest risks confronting organizations today. 1With email-borne threats responsible for more than 90% of hacking attacks, malware protection for email must be a cornerstone of IT strategy.

The right solution for malware protection must be easy to use and affordable, and it must stop 100% of threats before they reach the network. For a growing number of organizations around the world, Mimecast provides malware protection that delivers on each of these counts, and more.

¹2016 Data Breach Investigations Report

7 Best malware protection practices

To protect yourself against malware, include these best malware protection practices in your security protocols:

1. Install robust cybersecurity solutions on all devices – Use security software across endpoints, email, and web activity to detect and block malicious software before it spreads.

2. Enable two-factor authentication for all passwords – MFA reduces the chance attackers can use stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access after a phishing or malware attack.

3. Always keep software up to date – Patching closes known vulnerabilities that malware commonly exploits to infect systems or escalate privileges.

4. Limit access privileges to only the relevant users – Least-privilege access restricts what malware or compromised accounts can reach, limiting lateral movement and damage.

5. Administer security awareness training for all users annually – Regular training helps employees recognize phishing, suspicious links, and risky behaviors that often trigger a malware infection.

6. Adopt a zero-trust model – Zero trust assumes no user or device is automatically trusted, requiring continuous verification to reduce breach and malware spread risk.

7. Implement Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) – NGAV uses behavioral analysis and machine learning to detect advanced and fileless malware that traditional signature-based antivirus may miss.

Advanced malware protection with Mimecast

As one of the world’s leading secure email providers, Mimecast provides fully integrated subscription services for email security, continuity and archiving.

Mimecast offers a comprehensive cloud-based email threat protection and compliance solution on the market today. The Mimecast Secure Email Gateway features a massively scalable mail transfer agent (MTA) offering multiple layers of spam and malware protection to stop known and emerging email threats before they reach the network.

Mimecast email security provides:

• Spam protection, stopping 99% of spam with 0.0001% false positives.
• Secure Messaging, improving data security protection by allowing employees to send secure emails without needing to worry about encryption keys or encryption technology.
• Content Control and Data Leak Prevention, with the ability to scan all inbound and outbound email and compare content for compliance with administrator-defined policies.
• Large File Send, which enables employees to email file attachments up to 2 GB in size directly from their standard mail box application.

Strengthening Malware Protection with Layered Security

Mimecast also provides malware protection for targeted email attacks such as phishing, spear-phishing and whale phishing attacks. These threats use malicious URLs, weaponized attachments and social engineering techniques to fool recipients into divulging sensitive information or taking actions that could harm the company. Mimecast improves targeted attack protection by scanning all email for suspicious links, attachments and signs of social engineering, and blocking, quarantining or tagging suspicious emails with a warning.