How To Ensure Comprehensive Virus Protection For Your Organization With Filestack?

In today’s digital landscape, hundreds of billions of files are uploaded and downloaded every day. And with this enormous number comes a similar-level risk of malware and viruses infiltrating your organization’s systems. To make matters worse, there are now more than 1 billion malware programs out there. On top of that, four companies fall victim to ransomware attacks every minute [1]. And if that worries you, you’re not alone. 

The consequences of uploading infected files can be severe, ranging from data breaches to compromised networks. This makes it crucial to implement robust virus protection measures. And secure file upload is imperative to safeguarding your organization’s valuable data and ensuring a secure working environment.

In this guide, we will explore virus scanning and discuss the importance of virus protection. We will also see how Filestack, a powerful file-uploading and processing service, allows you to upload files to check for viruses and ensures the safety of said files.

What Is Virus Scanning And How It Works?

Virus scanning, as the name suggests, is a process that involves the detection of malicious software. It might also involve the elimination of any such bugs depending on the virus-scanning software. These virus scanners employ sophisticated algorithms and pattern recognition techniques to search for known virus signatures or behavioral patterns that indicate the presence of malware.

Virus scanners can detect a wide range of viruses, including but not limited to:

1. File Infectors
   They attach themselves to executable files and propagate when the infected file is executed. For example, the “Cascade” virus infects .com and .exe files. It triggers when an infected file is executed and can even spread the virus to other files.

1. Macro Viruses
   They are found in files containing macros, like Microsoft Office files. For example, the “Melissa” virus infected Microsoft Word documents and spread via email attachments

1. Boot Sector Infectors
   They infect the boot sector of a computer’s hard drive or removable media, making them active whenever the system is booted. For example, the “Stoned” virus works in this way to corrupt data or render the system unbootable.

1. Polymorphic Viruses
   They modify their code structure with each infection, making them difficult to detect. For example, the “W32/Sality” virus is a polymorphic file infector that spreads through network shares and email attachments, compromising a wide range of files.

1. Worms

When opened, they infect the victim’s computer, overwrite files, and send copies of themselves to the victim’s contacts. For example, the “ILOVEYOU” worm spread through email attachments and disguised itself as a love confession. 

6. Trojans
   They infect computers through malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or software downloads disguised as legitimate programs. For example, the “Zeus” Trojan is a notorious banking Trojan that steals sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial data.

6. Ransomware

They encrypt files on infected systems and demand a ransom for their release. For example, the “WannaCry” ransomware spread globally by exploiting a vulnerability in Windows systems.

8. Spyware
   They can lead to identity theft, privacy breaches, and unauthorized access to confidential data. For example, the “CoolWebSearch” spyware infects web browsers, redirecting users to malicious websites and collecting sensitive information.

It’s important to note that new viruses and malicious programs keep on emerging. This emphasizes the need for up-to-date virus scanners and proactive security measures. For instance, when a virus scanner detects a suspicious file, it quarantines or removes the infected file. This prevents the virus from spreading further and causing harm to your organization’s systems and data. By using reliable virus scanning software, such as those integrated with services like Filestack, you can ensure file upload security for your organization.

Types Of Virus Scanning Software Available

Understanding the different types of virus scanning software can help you make an informed decision when choosing for your organization’s needs. The table below briefly discusses a few types of virus-scanning software available and their advantages and disadvantages. 

Type of virus scanner	Advantages	Disadvantages
Signature-based Scanners	Compare files against a database of known virus signatures. Effective against known viruses.	May struggle to detect new or evolving threats or new variants of older malware.
Heuristic Scanners	Analyze files’ behavior and characteristics to identify potential threats. Useful for detecting previously unseen viruses.	May generate false positives.
Cloud-based Scanners	Leverage the power of remote servers to analyze files. Offer real-time protection against the latest threats. Provide instant access to updated virus databases.	Reliability is dependent on connectivity.

When choosing a virus scanner, consider factors such as the software’s detection rates, system resource usage, ease of use, and compatibility with your existing infrastructure. Leading commercial antivirus software include McAfee, Norton, and Kaspersky. They, along with their counterparts, offer comprehensive protection against viruses and malware.

Choosing The Right Virus Scanner For Your System

Selecting the appropriate virus scanner for your organization involves understanding what makes up such programs. Only after careful evaluation and configuration should you settle on the right fit for your organization. Consider the following steps to ensure you choose a scanner that aligns with your requirements.

• Identify the specific needs of your organization, including
  • the scale of file uploads,
  • system compatibility, and
  • desired levels of protection.
• Evaluate different virus scanners based on factors such as
  • Features,
  • Performance,
  • Protection against a wide range of threats,
  • Customer reviews, and
  • Independent lab test results. 
• Once you select a scanner, check that the configuration is
  • According to your organization’s needs, and
  • Automatically updated for newer virus definitions.
• Consider implementing a multi-layered approach to virus protection. Combine virus-scanning software with other security measures, such as
  • Firewalls,
  • Secure file transfer protocols, and
  • User awareness training.

How Filestack Scans For Viruses?

Filestack is a leading file uploading and processing service, but it’s so much more than that. For instance, it

• Offers robust malware detection features to safeguard your organization’s data.
• Employs multiple antivirus engines that work in tandem to detect and neutralize viruses effectively.
• Enhances detection accuracy and provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of malware threats.

When you upload a file using Filestack, the file undergoes an in-depth scanning process. The antivirus engines working together scan the file for known virus signatures and employ heuristic techniques to identify potential threats.

If and when a virus is detected, Filestack takes immediate action to mitigate the risk. This involves quarantining or removing the infected file, ensuring that it does not enter your organization’s systems or networks. It also helps avoid app downtime so you can ensure the best user experience.

How To Enable Virus Scanning With Filestack?

Filestack allows you to detect infected content within uploaded files immediately. According to their website, apps integrated with Filestack don’t have the “security” option enabled by default. Even so, enabling virus scanning for uploaded files in Filestack is a straightforward process. You can follow these steps to enable Filestack virus detection:

1. Use the Workflows UI to configure the virus detection task. You can visit their Workflows Tutorial to learn how to use the Workflows UI.
2. To create a workflow, log in to your Developer Portal with your credentials.
3. Click on “Workflows” from the menu running down the left-hand side of the page.
4. Click the orange ‘Create New’ button to create a new Workflow.
5. Name your new Workflow, then click the orange circle with the + icon to begin selecting your first ‘Task’ (step). In this case, it will be the Virus/ Malware detection task.
6. Once set up, test whether the workflow runs correctly. For example, the following responses will be returned to the workflow if the uploaded file:
   1. Does not contain any virus or malware:

2. Does contain a virus or malware:

Implementing virus scanning in your application using Filestack involves utilizing their API. Here’s an example using Filestack’s JavaScript API:

1. Include the Filestack JavaScript library.
   Include the Filestack JavaScript library in your application’s HTML file. Make sure to replace ‘YOUR_API_KEY’ with your actual Filestack API key.

2. Implement file uploading with virus scanning.
   Add an input field for file selection and a button to trigger the upload process. In the event listener for the upload button, call the Filestack API’s ‘upload’ method and configure the ‘virus’ option to enable virus scanning.
   

By incorporating these code snippets into your application, you can utilize Filestack’s virus scanning feature. In doing so, you can ensure that uploaded files undergo comprehensive virus checks, protecting your systems from malware and viruses. Along with it, you can also grab the best 5 protective or reliable antivirus softwares.

Conclusion

Comprehensive virus protection is a vital aspect of maintaining a secure and productive organizational environment. When uploading files, the risk of introducing malware into your systems cannot be overlooked. By implementing robust virus scanning measures, such as those offered by Filestack, you can effectively mitigate these risks and safeguard your organization’s valuable data.

Filestack’s virus scanning feature utilizes multiple antivirus engines working together. Enable virus scanning in the Filestack Dashboard and follow best practices for virus protection. By doing so, you can confidently upload files while maintaining the security and integrity of your organization’s systems.

Take proactive measures to protect your organization from the devastating effects of viruses and malware. Choose Filestack as your trusted file uploading and processing solution and enjoy best-in-class virus protection for your organization’s valuable data.