Introduction
A malicious software program known as malware is created to cause harm, steal information, and gain unauthorized access to specific areas of a network. System failure by malware can result in lost productivity and financial losses for an organization (Alladi et al., 2020). To stop further harm to the organization and its systems, dealing with any malware infection on one of the company’s central servers as soon as possible is crucial. The steps necessary to deal with a central server being infected by malware will be covered in this paper.
Assessing the Problem
Assessing the situation is the first step in dealing with a server that has been infected with malware. This entails fully comprehending the function and potential of the malware (Ahir et al., 2020). It is vital to comprehend what the malware does and how it works (Ahir et al., 2020). Organizations can better detect and stop malicious activity from happening again by understanding the specifics of the malware.
A malware scan of the organization’s computers is advised to determine the infection’s severity. The results of this scan should reveal the type of malware present, the compromised system components, and the severity of the infection (Kadebu et al., 2023). Before running a malware scan, back up any data stored on the server. If the malware cannot be removed, this allows for the recovery of any lost data.
Decision-Making
After the malware scan, the organization must decide how to deal with the infection. Three options are replacing the server hardware, using automated malware removal tools, and manually removing the malware.
- Manual Removal: Only seasoned system administrators with in-depth technical knowledge of the particular malware should attempt manual malware removal. Organizations should look into updated anti-malware tools to ensure they are well-equipped to handle any new malware threats (Chandel et al., 2019). If manual malware removal is impossible, the organization should use automated removal tools.
- Automated Removal: In IT security, automation is gaining popularity as it enables businesses to respond to network threats quickly and effectively. Automated removal tools can be quickly deployed to detect, identify, and remove malicious programs from the organization’s systems. These tools are typically created to address particular types of malware (Hama Saeed, 2020). Automated tools can also be set up to monitor the system for potential malicious activity.
- Server Replacement: If the malware can access the underlying hardware, the server hardware may need to be replaced. Due to the expense and inconvenience of replacing hardware, this option is only advised if the other two are impractical.
Justification
It is essential to consider the most recent findings in the field of malware removal in addition to the steps listed above. The 2018 Symantec Internet Security Threat Report states that manual malware removal is still the most popular way to deal with threats from malware (Kumar et al., 2021). However, the report discovered that automation is gaining popularity and is more efficient at eliminating malware than manual removal. The report also discovered that automated tools could identify malware faster than manual techniques.
Another important consideration is cost; manual removal can be expensive due to the technical expertise and time needed. On the other hand, automated removal tools are frequently more economical and cause fewer productivity hiccups (von Solms, 2020). Due to the cost savings and productivity boosts automated removal tools can provide, businesses should frequently consider them seriously.
Conclusion
In conclusion, businesses must respond to malware infections properly. First, they must assess the type and severity of the infection. Second, they should consider manual removal, automated tools, and hardware replacement as solutions. Third, they should select the most cost-effective and practical option by researching the latest research. These steps will enable them to successfully remove the malware from their primary server.
References
Ahir, S., Telavane, D., & Thomas, R. (2020). The impact of artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data and evolving technologies in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) curtailment. IEEE Xplore. Web.
Alladi, T., Chamola, V., & Zeadally, S. (2020). Industrial control systems: Cyberattack trends and countermeasures. Computer Communications, 155, 1–8. Web.
Chandel, S., Yu, S., Yitian, T., Zhili, Z., & Yusheng, H. (2019). Endpoint protection: Measuring the effectiveness of remediation technologies and methodologies for insider threat. 2019 International Conference on Cyber-Enabled Distributed Computing and Knowledge Discovery (CyberC). Web.
Hama Saeed, M. A. (2020). Malware in computer systems: Problems and solutions. IJID (International Journal on Informatics for Development), 9(1), 1. Web.
Kadebu, P., Shoniwa, R. T. R., Zvarevashe, K., Mukwazvure, A., Mapanga, I., Thusabantu, N. F., & Gotora, T. T. (2023). A hybrid machine learning approach for analysis of stegomalware. International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. Web.
Kumar, S., Mishra, D., & Shukla, S. K. (2021). Android Malware Family Classification: What Works – API Calls, Permissions or API Packages? IEEE Xplore. Web.
von Solms, J. (2020). Integrating Regulatory Technology (RegTech) into the digital transformation of a bank Treasury. Journal of Banking Regulation. Web.