What is EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and why traditional antivirus is no longer enough
Understand what an EDR solution is, how it uses behavioral analysis to stop ransomware, and why it's vital to protecting your company's devices.
What is EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and why traditional antivirus is no longer enough
The exponential increase in ransomware attacks targeting global corporations in recent years has demonstrated the ineffectiveness of traditional endpoint cyber defenses (desktops, laptops, and servers). Traditional antiviruses, based on static comparison of files against a list of known signatures, are rendered obsolete by polymorphic malware and sophisticated fileless attacks.
The standard solution recommended by the main corporate cybersecurity agencies is the adoption of EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) tools.
Classic Antiviruses vs. EDR: The Evolution of Detection
- The traditional approach (Antivirus): Works as a basic facial recognition system. If the malware is not in its database of known suspects (signatures), the software will not stop execution. Attackers circumvent this by subtly modifying the malware's binary code in each campaign to change its hash fingerprint.
- The modern approach (EDR): It works through behavioral analysis. Continuously monitor what applications are doing inside the computer in real time. It doesn't care if the file is new; It doesn't care what you're trying to do in the operating system.
Behavior vs. Signatures: Stopping Ransomware Instantly
If a legitimate computer program (such as a word processor or PDF reader) suddenly starts a recurring task to read, rewrite, and delete thousands of local files per second with an encrypted extension, EDR detects this behavioral pattern typical of a ransomware hijacking.
- Detection: The local agent identifies that the process is performing abnormal destructive operations.
- Mitigation: Stops the execution of the suspicious process immediately.
- Containment: Automatically isolates the device from the company network to prevent lateral spread of infection to central file servers.
- Recovery: Certain advanced EDR solutions can restore local shadow copies of damaged files, reversing the impact of the attack in a matter of minutes.
Shield your collaborators' devices against advanced malware and persistent threats. Learn about our tailored solutions for Attack Prevention and Endpoint Security.
