You might recall a time not too long ago when setting up a new PC always included installing an antivirus program. Back then, Norton AntiVirus was a leader in the field, along with others like Trend Micro, Webroot, and McAfee. Today, however, those traditional antivirus tools are largely ineffective. I’ll explain why and introduce a solution: Huntress EDR.
Traditional antivirus programs scan files for viruses, trojans, or other forms of malicious content. You could run a one-time scan of your entire hard drive, use real-time scanning, or combine both. These programs also rely on regularly updated databases of file signatures—unique characteristics used to identify potential threats.
However, over the years, cyber attackers have evolved their methods. They no longer require you to download and run a malicious file to infect your system. Instead, fileless attacks, which don’t rely on traditional files, are becoming more common. Moreover, with conventional antivirus software, you’re often vulnerable to new threats until the vendor updates their signature database. This is just one of the reasons we’re moving toward more advanced solutions like EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and Managed Defender systems.
Huntress EDR takes a different approach by using a software agent that continuously monitors your computer. Similar to traditional antivirus in some ways, the key difference is that Huntress provides 24/7 monitoring through a third-party security team—something you can’t get with typical antivirus solutions. Instead of just scanning files, the Huntress agent looks for suspicious activities, such as attempts to connect to known hacker command-and-control centers or the installation of shady remote-access programs.
The Huntress agent also works alongside Windows Defender, optimizing and managing its settings to offer comprehensive protection.
While phishing attempts (usually targeting your email) are still the most common threats we see, ransomware and data exfiltration remain significant risks. EDR solutions like Huntress are designed to protect against these ongoing threats, and we strongly recommend using them.
In our next blog, we’ll dive into Huntress ITDR, a tool that secures your Microsoft 365 environment. Stay tuned!
See also:
https://www.greatlakests.com/managed-antivirus-edr/
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