Veeam Backup Security Deep Dive – How VBR Protects Against Malware and Ransomware
Introduction
Cyber threats like ransomware and malware are now targeting backup repositories, making backup security more critical than ever.
In this article, we take a deep dive into Veeam Backup & Replication (VBR) security features, exploring how Veeam protects your data with immutability, anomaly detection, and layered defense mechanisms.
In addition to online scanning of backup data streams, VBR now also supports secondary scanning of backed-up data. Version 12.1 features two major scanning engines: one uses antivirus software on the Mount Server, and the other uses YARA.
YARA Scanning Engine Tool
YARA (full name: Yet Another Recursive Acronym).
Official website link: https://yara.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.
GitHub repository link: https://github.com/virustotal/yara/.
YARA is typically used to help security experts and researchers identify and classify malware. It is primarily used for malware research and detection. It can scan for text or binary code patterns.
The YARA tool generally consists of two parts. One part is the YARA scanning engine itself, which can be installed on various platforms. The other part is YARA rules, which are matching rules written by users based on actual needs. When using YARA, the simple logic is that the YARA engine calls YARA rules to scan the corresponding content that needs to be scanned and outputs the scan results.
In VDP v12.1, the YARA tool was added. Backup and security administrators can directly call pre-written YARA rules from the VBR console to scan backup archives. There is no need to manually set up a YARA runtime environment yourself.
YARA Rules
Regarding YARA rules, the syntax is actually very simple. You can refer to the official documentation at https://yara.readthedocs.io/en/stable/writingrules.html. Related rule templates can be found on GitHub at https://github.com/Yara-Rules/rules.
VBR comes with three classic YARA rule templates built in, which can serve as references for writing.
Of course, it's not so troublesome now. Various GPTs can help us easily write a YARA rule, for example:
How YARA Scanning Works
Save the content generated by Chat GPT above into a file ending with .yar or .yara, then place it in the C:\Program Files\Veeam\Backup and Replication\Backup\YaraRules directory. VBR will automatically recognize these rules.
After starting the scan, VBR will mount the backup archive to the Mount Server, then use the YARA engine on the Mount Server to load the selected YARA rules for scanning.
Of course, since this scanning is for text and binary patterns, it is not limited to malicious code scanning. In fact, it can scan for any key information we want to find.
Mount Server Antivirus Software Scanning
Starting with VBR v10, antivirus software scanning was built into the Secure Restore feature. VBR calls the antivirus software on the Mount Server to scan backup archives. In v12.1, this feature has been integrated into Scan Backup, and the built-in supported antivirus software has been further expanded.
Antivirus Software Configuration
In v12.1, six antivirus engines are built-in: Symantec Protection Engine, ESET, Windows Defender, Kaspersky Security, Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools, and Trellix (formerly the well-known McAfee).
Besides these six software options, if other antivirus software needs to be used, Veeam also supports configuring other antivirus software via the AntivirusInfos.xml file. Simply modify the XML file in the %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Veeam\Backup and Replication\Mount Service directory on the Mount Server and use CLI commands to call the corresponding antivirus software. For more detailed XML configuration methods, refer to the official website's detailed XML syntax attribute description: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/av_scan_xml.html?ver=120.
Configuration Methods
On VBR, there are multiple ways to initiate a scan.
1. Select a supported backup archive, right-click, or choose the Scan Backup button on the toolbar to activate the antivirus engine scan or YARA scan dialog.
After starting Scan Backup, a scan dialog will open. At this point, these two engines can be used to perform security scans on the entire backup chain using three different scanning methods.
2. In various whole-machine or disk recovery Secure Restore steps, check the antivirus engine scan or YARA scan option.
3. In SureBackup jobs, check the antivirus engine scan or YARA scan option.
Viewing Scan Results
If the scan results match the content being searched for, VBR will mark the scanned backup archive as Infected status, indicating that malware has been detected.
Complete scan archives are recorded in this directory on VBR: C:\ProgramData\Veeam\Backup\FLRSessions\Windows\FLR__<machinename>_\Antivirus
As with the online malware attack analysis mentioned earlier, detailed scan statuses are also recorded in VBR's History. Scan results can be looked up in History.
The above are some of the new backup archive scanning and inspection methods added in VDP v12.1. They help administrators avoid secondary infections after issues occur and ensure that the restored data is a clean system archive.
Key Veeam Security Features for Malware Defense
🔒 Immutable Backups
Veeam’s immutable backup repositories prevent any modification or deletion of backup data, even by administrators.
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Available for Linux hardened repositories and S3 object storage.
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Ensures ransomware resilience with write-once, read-many (WORM) protection.
📖 Reference: Veeam Immutability Guide
🧠 Malware and Anomaly Detection
Newer Veeam releases include malware scanning integration and anomaly detection capabilities:
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Automatically scans backups for malicious patterns.
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Detects unusual changes in file size or data entropy.
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Integrates with third-party antivirus tools for added security.
👥 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Minimize insider threats with granular permissions:
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Assign user roles like Backup Operator, Restore Operator, or Auditor.
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Restrict critical actions (e.g., deletion, encryption changes).
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Log every activity for audit traceability.
🧩 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Add an extra layer of protection by enabling MFA in Veeam Enterprise Manager or console access.
It prevents unauthorized login even if credentials are compromised.
👉 Related reading: Making VBR Login More Secure – Complete Guide
Conclusion
The VBR security features in Veeam Backup & Replication provide an advanced defense framework against malware and ransomware.
From immutable backups to anomaly detection and RBAC, Veeam empowers businesses to secure their data and guarantee safe, reliable recovery when disaster strikes.
Protecting your backups isn’t optional—it’s a core part of modern cybersecurity.
