Do You Know the Difference Between Anti-Virus and Endpoint Security?

Cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021, which is much more higher than the damage inflicted by natural disasters in 2017. The rate at which cybercrimes have increased is alarming for individuals and businesses across the world. 

According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 58 percent of cyberattacks targeted small businesses as they often lack the capacity and resources. It is crucial, especially for small companies, to protect themselves against cybercrimes by investing in the right software and systems. 

What is Anti-Virus Software?

Anti-virus software is a security program that can be installed on the computer to protect the system from computer viruses and a few other types of malware. It can scan files and drives before downloading or installing, scan an entire device, and remove any malicious code. Users can also schedule scans to run on certain days and times.

What is Endpoint Security Software?

Endpoint security software is an advanced security system that secures endpoints or end-users devices like desktops, laptops, and mobile phones. Endpoint devices are gateways into the network, and securing them is the primary purpose of the endpoint security. Endpoint security software like Carbon Black’s guards the entire network and is centrally managed. It can authenticate logins made from all new endpoints and support remote software deployment and updates. 

Anti-virus is only one facet of endpoint security as this software can protect against all types of threats, like malware, spyware, trojans, phishing attack, spam attacks, and ransomware. Similar to anti-virus software, endpoint security can run scans and updates at a predetermined schedule.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Both anti-virus and endpoint security software aim to protect systems from cybercrimes, but they are quite different from each other. 

Anti-virus software detects and protects the system from different viruses and malware attacks, which is one of the components of endpoint security software. Moreover, the endpoint security network covers the entire network. It uses more advanced security technologies and services such as endpoint detection and response, incident reporting, threat hunting, and predictive analytics to protect against cybercrimes. Simply put, users will have a more comprehensive coverage with endpoint security software.

According to the Verizon DBIR report, 34 percent of data breaches involved internal actors. Endpoint software also provides protection against internal threats, which is not possible in the anti-virus software. 

How to Choose a Service

Two important factors that determine the selection of the right software are: 

Size of the Organization: For organizations lacking a network architecture and employing only a couple of employees, it is advised to install anti-virus on individual devices. However, endpoint security software is perfect for small organizations with a networked system in place. 

Interface with Data: For organizations dealing with confidential client information, it is imperative to install endpoint security software as it offers a broader range of capabilities than anti-virus solutions. 

When Endpoint Is The Endgame 

Small organizations are more vulnerable to cyberattacks compared to larger businesses as the latter has resources, knowledge, and multiple layers of protection in places to limit the spread of the attack. As per statistics, 60 percent of small companies that fall prey to cyberattacks are out of business within six months. 

Small businesses need to understand the depth of the issue and invest in appropriate software that can protect them from both internal and external threats.