Virtual machines are great alternatives offering many advantages compared to traditional computers.
However, they are still subject to the same human weaknesses that characterize their hardcopy counterparts.
Thus, it’s necessary to use them carefully, knowing they are still targets for failure and hackers. But no need to panic! You can use reputable solutions to back them up, such as Nakivo Hyper-V backup tools. This way, you won’t lose your precious data should they crash for whatever reason.
But what threats lurk in these machines? This guide exposes the leading threats that face them and provides valuable and actionable suggestions to help you overcome them. Remain with our guide up to the end to discover more about the currently known VM threats.
Server Failure
Although virtual machines let you consolidate many machines onto one hardware, this consolidation has its dangers. For example, you might stress the fewer physical computers. Thus, it’s easier for them to break down, leading to rippling effects on their virtual versions.
Network Compromise
Network compromise manifests itself as unusual inter-machine activities or sources.
Over-provisioning
Over-provisioning results from consolidating without a precise picture of an app’s function or workload. Consequently, you end up with imbalanced virtual infrastructures.
Lax Access Controls
Lax access controls to virtual machines still challenge companies that have virtualized their systems. Therefore, IT managers should separate virtual machines properly to ensure that only authorized users access them.
Asset Management Challenges
It’s more challenging to track virtual machines than physical ones. The reason is that it’s easier to create and move virtual computers. Because of that feature, IT specialists face the need to track all the existing machines, their locations, their authorized users, and their purpose. Otherwise, they could pose another security threat to a business.
The Risk of Virtual Malware
Virtual computers are indeed safer than their physical ones. However, that doesn’t mean they are immune to virus attacks because hackers are getting more vicious, creating viruses that can sense and attack virtualized computers. These viruses can “smell” any virtual machine in a given location and attack it. Thus, users should keep in mind that VMs are as prone to a hacker attack as usual computers are.
Naming Chaos
When the virtualization idea entered the market, a few virtual computers were in use then, so systematic naming was not a big consideration by most users. However, as virtualization has gained traction, the lack of effective naming systems has made it difficult to determine which machines are essential and which ones aren’t. It’s possible to lose data when deleting virtual machines that weren’t adequately labelled as critical.
Mitigating the Risks
So, we have examined the risks that face modern virtual machines. The question now arises, how can businesses mitigate these threats? Good news; you can put proper measures in place to secure them. Here are some of the expert suggestions that can secure your virtual computers.
- Organization: You have to determine how and where you need to separate, test, develop, and produce your virtual PCs.
- Auditing: Put a system in place to audit your machines regularly. If possible, you can use process, balance, and security automation tools to do so.
- Patching: You have to perform patches to enhance security maintenance. It’s also necessary to have a schedule to ensure all the patches are updated for every virtual machine within your ecosystem.
- Managing Overflow: Since it’s possible to lose track of virtual machines, it’s necessary to have measures to monitor them. This way, you will be better positioned to know redundant ones and remove them.
- Responsibility: Appoint a dedicated person to care and take responsibility for your machines’ security.
- Process Enforcement: You have to set up IT processes through self-service portals to enhance your machines’ efficient and simplified management.
Virtual machines are excellent tools for your smooth business operations. However, they are vulnerable to various threats. Thus, it’s good to know them and take early steps to deal with them effectively. We hope these insights will assist you in doing the right thing to boost your security and minimize the existing VM risks.
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