Can I install my own antivirus or security software?

Yes, customers can generally install their own antivirus or security software on Cyfuture Cloud virtual machines, but it requires following specific guidelines to avoid conflicts with provider-managed security features.

Why Cyfuture Cloud Manages Security

Cyfuture Cloud offers comprehensive built-in security, including antivirus, anti-malware, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and email scanning, integrated across their infrastructure. These managed services protect cloud networks, applications, and endpoints from viruses, Trojans, and other threats without customer intervention. Installing custom software risks conflicts, such as overlapping scans reducing performance or false positives blocking legitimate traffic. Their SOC-2 compliant setup ensures daily virus definition updates and automated threat removal on provider-managed systems.

Customers gain root/admin access on VPS hosting/dedicated instances, enabling software installation like on physical servers. However, Cyfuture's terms note that third-party scripts or tools are at the user's risk, with no liability for resulting data loss or breaches. This policy balances flexibility with infrastructure stability.​

Installation Guidelines

Follow these steps for safe installation:

- Verify Compatibility: Choose enterprise-grade antivirus (e.g., compatible with Linux/Windows servers) that supports cloud environments. Avoid resource-heavy desktop versions.

- Backup First: Snapshot your instance via Cyfuture's control panel before changes.

- Standard Process: Download from official sources, run as root/admin, update definitions, and configure real-time scanning. Exclude Cyfuture's monitoring agents from scans.

- Test Thoroughly: Run in a non-production VM to check CPU/memory impact and conflicts with Cyfuture's UTM features (antivirus, antispam).​

- Notify Support: Submit a ticket for review, especially on managed or shared plans, to ensure compliance.

Potential Risks and Best Practices

Custom installations may trigger alerts in Cyfuture's endpoint protection or violate fair usage if they overload resources. In SOC reports, Cyfuture mandates antivirus on endpoints with automatic updates, suggesting preference for their stack.Best practices include:​

- Using lightweight agents like ClamAV for Linux or Windows Defender enhancements.

- Monitoring via Cyfuture's dashboard for anomalies post-install.

- Regular audits to align with compliance needs (ISO 27001, HIPAA).

If native tools suffice, leverage them for seamless protection.

Conclusion

While Cyfuture Cloud permits installing your own antivirus on customer-controlled instances, their managed services often provide sufficient, hassle-free security tailored for cloud scalability. Prioritize compatibility and support coordination to maintain optimal performance and compliance. For most users, sticking to provider features minimizes risks and costs.

Follow-Up Questions

1. What if my custom antivirus conflicts with Cyfuture's security?
Contact support immediately to whitelist exclusions or revert changes. Cyfuture may disable conflicting features if they impact shared infrastructure.

2. Does Cyfuture charge extra for their antivirus?
No, antivirus and anti-malware are included in standard cloud plans as part of security suites.

3. Can I install on all instance types?
Yes on VPS/dedicated; limited on fully managed PaaS due to provider controls. Confirm via support.​

4. How does Cyfuture handle malware detection?
Automated scanning with daily updates, quarantine/removal, and integration with firewalls/IPS.

5. Is root access provided for installations?
Yes, full root/admin on self-managed instances for software deployment.