Next-Generation Antivirus vs. Traditional Antivirus: what’s right for your business?
As cyber threats evolve, the way we counteract these threats must also advance. This article outlines the core differences between Next Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and traditional Antivirus (AV).
First Things First: What Is ‘Antivirus’?
Antivirus software is a type of program designed to prevent, search for, detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, and more. At its core, antivirus programs are the first line of defence, providing a basic level of protection against common types of malware that threaten computers and networks.
The primary function of antivirus software is to scan, identify, and manage the removal of malicious software from a computer. This process traditionally involves comparing the files and programs on a computer against a database of known types of malware and identifying suspicious behaviour that might indicate infection. Upon detection of malicious code, the antivirus software works to neutralise the threat, typically by quarantining or directly removing the offending files from the system.
Don’t All Computers Come with Inbuilt Antivirus?
Many modern computers do come with built-in antivirus solutions, providing a baseline level of security right out of the box. For instance, Windows operating systems include Windows Defender, a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware component that offers real-time protection against threats. Similarly, macOS has built-in security features designed to protect against malware and viruses, although it doesn’t include an explicitly named antivirus program.
However, while these inbuilt antivirus solutions provide essential protection and are beneficial for general use, they may not always offer the comprehensive coverage required to safeguard against the increasingly sophisticated and diverse range of cyber threats that businesses and advanced users face.
This built-in antivirus software is a form of ‘traditional antivirus’ as it focuses on basic threat detection and removal capabilities. These days, this basic protection may not be sufficient for specific needs, such as compliance with industry regulations, protection against targeted attacks, or advanced and zero-day viruses
Traditional antivirus software, the foundation of digital defence for many years, primarily employs signature-based detection. This method relies on identifying malware through a database of known signatures. While this approach is effective against widespread, identified viruses, it faces challenges in detecting new, modified, or previously unseen malware.
Benefits of Traditional Antivirus:
Proven Effectiveness Against Known Threats: traditional antivirus is highly effective at detecting and neutralising malware that has been previously identified and catalogued in its signature database.
Straightforward Operation: with its reliance on signatures, traditional antivirus offers a straightforward approach to malware detection, making it user-friendly and easy to manage for individuals and businesses alike.
Cost-Effectiveness: many traditional antivirus solutions are ‘add-ons’ and built-in to other products. Therefore, traditional antivirus can provide a basic level of protection without any financial investment.
Limitations of Traditional Antivirus:
Inability to Address Zero-Day Attacks: traditional antivirus struggles to protect against zero-day attacks, which exploit unknown vulnerabilities before they can be patched or a signature is created, leaving systems exposed to new threats.
Lack of Behavioural Analysis: unlike next-generation antivirus, traditional solutions lack behavioural analysis capabilities, making them unable to detect malware based solely on suspicious behaviour or anomalies in system operation.
Dependency on Regular Updates: the effectiveness of traditional antivirus heavily relies on frequent updates to its malware signature database. If the software is not updated regularly, its ability to detect and prevent attacks decreases, posing a risk to security.
Limited to Malware Detection: traditional antivirus often focuses narrowly on malware detection and removal, without offering additional layers of security, such as phishing protection, network attack defence, or encryption, which are increasingly necessary in today’s complex cyber threat landscape.
Next-Generation Antivirus: Advanced Security
Next-generation antivirus introduces an advanced framework for cyber security, utilising a mix of technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and behavioural analysis. Unlike traditional AV, NGAV does not solely depend on signature databases. Instead, it identifies threats based on their behaviour, offering protection against zero-day attacks, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats that might bypass traditional defences.
Comparative Advantages of NGAV
Predictive Analysis: NGAV employs machine learning algorithms to anticipate and block emerging threats before they manifest, a proactive capability not inherent in traditional AV.
Behavioural Detection: NGAV monitors the behaviour of applications and files in real-time, detecting malicious activity based on actions rather than known signatures, providing a dynamic response to new threats.
Lower Dependency on Signatures: While traditional AV systems require regular updates to their signature databases, NGAV’s focus on behaviour and patterns lessens this dependency, ensuring more consistent protection.
Broader Threat Coverage: NGAV is designed to protect against a wider array of cybersecurity threats, including but not limited to malware, ransomware, phishing, and exploit attacks.
Adopting NGAV allows businesses to benefit from the latest security technologies, providing a stronger defence against modern cyber risks. This is particularly important as the sophistication of cyber attacks increases, making the limitations of traditional antivirus more apparent.
At Jam Cyber, we understand the importance of cost-effective cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes. That’s why we’ve structured our NGAV offering to be as accessible as traditional antivirus solutions in terms of pricing. With Jam Cyber, businesses do not have to choose between advanced protection and affordability. Our NGAV solution is priced competitively with traditional AV products, ensuring businesses can benefit from state-of-the-art security technologies without exceeding their budget.
When it comes to safeguarding your business, next-generation antivirus (NGAV) will give you more protection than traditional antivirus. NGAV offers a comprehensive approach, using advanced technologies like machine learning to pre-emptively tackle threats. This means better protection against a broader range of cyber risks, including zero-day attacks and complex malware.
To find out more about protecting your business, visit our product and pricing page or contact us via the form below.
We have been with Jam Cyber for years and we couldn't be happier. Their cyber security is second to none. Each month they also send out training videos to advise what to look out for with cyber threats being everywhere these days. If you want everything fully protected, I strongly suggest signing on with Jam Cyber - Max Sollmer - General Manager - Storm Support Services
Allison B.
1730347316
The team have been assisting us for 10+ years with IT and cybersecurity issues.
Sh D.
1730336351
Easy to communicate with and very professional.
Tom W.
1729147183
Professional, responsive and good to deal with.
Vee B.
1729123903
Always a great experience! Fast and easy fix with Kurt. thank you JamCyber.
Victoria B.
1728951698
Great individualised service.Ferdinand took the time to work through the process with me and customise the prompts to work for our business.
Nathan D.
1726536170
Jasper was very responsive and helpful when it came to setting up my work laptop
Rami F.
1723670821
Michelle R.
1723185702
The team actioned my Citrix issue the same day. They were courteous enough to contact me via call and email to let me know they are about to connect and work on the issue. I watched how Jasper (the tech) sorted and resolved it right away. He even made sure all is good before he jumped off the chat. Thank you.
Marie M.
1722995084
I am grateful for the help that Kurt D. provided to immediately resolve the issues my work laptop was having. He was patient and committed to find the solution. He did a great job.
Katrina De C.
1721340073
Highly recommend Jimmy and Jam Cyber. They have helped our firm for years they go above and beyond and resolve every issue we have in a timely manner, can always count on them to be there to help when needed.
Hannah M.
1721101624
quick communication and friendly staff.
John V.
1720685063
Excellent service from Dianne. She very patient and knowledgeable and resolved the issues. Thank you! Highly recommend using Jam Cyber.
Israel A.
1720499049
I am extremely satisfied with the IT support I received in resloving my internet connection issue. The response was prompt, and Jasper was incredibly knowledgeable and professional. He patiently guided me through each step. My connection is now stable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of technical assistance.
Managers M.
1719883966
Jamcyber have been super helpful with our migrations and IT support.very professional and quick responses to our requests for assistance with our cyber security.
Peter T.
1718759377
Jimmy at Jam Cyber Security is absolutely fantastic! He has been helpful and informative and always has a professional and positive attitude in the work that he does.
Manuela G.
1718756108
The team at Jamcyber and Cyber security are absolutely amazing! They have assisted me with all technical, IT and security related matters in an efficient manner. I would highly recommend Jimmy and the team for all IT and security needs.
Mary Ann Dela C.
1718166047
Jam Cyber is very reliable cybersecurity solution. Its clear instruction and skyrocket effectiveness in threat detection and strong customer support, make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Their comprehensive protection and ease of use justify the investment. Highly recommended for businesses seeking a dependable cybersecurity solution.
Joyce N.
1717715588
Ferdie is an extremely friendly, professional person to deal with. It is always a pleasure to have him help me through my issues.
Kate Aubrey B.
1717473111
Jam has been a very helpful for our company's cybersecurity. Very approachable team plus has deep understanding of the latest threats have kept our systems secure and our data protected. The level of service and support we receive is great. Recommend them for any cybersecurity needs! Thanks, Jam Team!
Adellie L.
1717403027
The tech support team was fantastic. They were responsive and knowledgeable. I highly recommend their reliable and efficient support services. Thank you Dianne and Jimmy for the outstanding help!
Sarah Y.
1716863678
Jimmy Gao from Jam Cyber is great - he is very responsive, quick to resolution and knowledgeable. I would higher recommend Jimmy for all your IT and cyber security needs.
Sharon D.
1716532992
Without Jimmy we could not function. He has the answer to all our IT questions and solves every problem we face. And it's all done with a smile!
Owen C.
1716505410
Jimmy from Jam Cyber is extremely helpful and professional. He has been dedicated and attentive in resolving our issues and always carry’s a positive attitude.
Dy-ell H.
1715819414
Jam Cyber have been extremely helpful. A big shout out to Jimmy Gao who is always ready and able to help. He definitely makes our jobs easier and smoother, especially with the new system upgrade we just rolled out. It would not have been possible without him.
Gabriella K.
1715817166
Jimmy at Jam Cyber is amazing! He has put in a lot of time and effort in transitioning our business to a new cloud based platform. He is attentive and resolves issues with minimal fuss. Highly recommend Jimmy for your IT needs.
Ben and Elissa O.
1715816587
Jimmy Gao at Jam Cyber is professional, responsive and incredibly knowledgeable. Our firm is lucky to work with Jimmy who always provides top quality support and has really helped us with our IT projects and cyber security. I highly recommend Jimmy and the Jam Cyber team.
James T.
1712263326
Jamcyber has provided The Dataline Group with specialist IT support for many years. We always receive prompt service and we always obtain the right outcome, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of Ian and Ferdinand. I recommend this business.
Tong T.
1712193363
Jimmy completed a comprehensive review of our current set up and provided a cost effective solution that met our needs.Very friendly and easy to deal with
Calvin N
1710807031
Professional and reliable service. Resolved all my problems quickly.
jsf
1710803278
We engaged their services for a comprehensive suite of IT solutions, encompassing email hosting, IT support, and office network file sharing. Their responsiveness and professionalism were exemplary, earning our highest recommendation.
LooMate
1707428062
I've been with Jam Cyber for 15 years and love dealing with Markus and Ian and all staff. Best value in Australia.
Jasmine H.
1707373439
Jamcyber has been great with our cyber security roll out and migration to Microsoft 365.Jimmy and the team is very knowledgeable and quick to respond. It is good to have a support that you can actually talk to over the phone. Highly recommended.
Irene W
1701390148
Balance Insurance - Jam cyber has been a big help with my cyber security and voip services. Jimmy and his team is always quick to respond and professional. highly recommended.
Karen R.
1700477039
Excellent IT support & cyber security. Highly recommend - fast response time & professional service.
Tania M.
1699585073
Jam cyber helped me quickly and effortlessly with my IT issue.
Elissa Z.
1698974121
Jam Cyber has provided us with exceptional IT services for years now. Jimmy from Jam Cyber is professional, responsive and very knowledgeable across all things to do with our IT needs. Jam Cyber assists with all aspects of IT at including cyber security and selecting the best hardware for our firm.
Dana S.
1698371121
Awesome quick response always! Jam Cyber help us with Cyber Security and IT for our firm! Very helpful and always available!
Andrew F.
1674511498
We highly recommend the services of Jam Cyber who have been managing all of our IT and Telecommunications plus Cybersecurity for over 12 years. The team at Jam Cyber have been amazing, their systems and procedures have kept our IT operations running smoothly the entire time and their response timing and availability has been excellent.Thanks and regards,Andrew FinlaysonManaging Director Carrington Property Group
christopher K.
1659684395
We have used Jam Cyber for 8 years and been very happy with their service. They have been there when we needed them
Yvonne C
1658959147
Competent, confident, consistent, caring. Markus, Jimmy (and now Ferdi, Blair, May) and the team's level of service has not waned since 2012; they treat their customers, regardless of size, with integrity and professionalism. The picture included here is non IT/techie because although the team "live and breath" IT, they know how to speak to non-IT/techies.
Ronique L.
1657840907
Golden Age has used Jam Cyber for the last 2-3 years to support our cyber security and IT needs. They have always been responsive and solved any problems that came up. Would recommend!
Sharon P.
1655956894
The team are very knowledgeable and are always very helpful. Highly recommended.
Simone H.
1649560212
I can't recommend Markus, Jimmy, John, Ferdie and the team at JamCyber more highly. Cyber security and functioning IT solutions are vital for the day to day operation of my legal practice and JamCyber is across it all. The team is always very responsive, lovely to deal with, efficient and communicate clearly (they don't speak "IT" and expect we'll always follow). They're simply the best.
Samantha H
1647995235
Jimmy and the team at Jam Cyber are so knowledgeable, reliable and quick to respond to any issue, big or small. Jimmy in particular has been great to deal with - I highly recommend him and his team for IT support services.
Vania H.
1646112210
When I first started my legal practice, I had very little idea about cyber security and what is required. Markus and the team and Jamcyber walked me through everything and set it up perfectly. If I have anything done, like I need a new email set up or onboarding of a new staff member, they’re onto it, as soon as possible – it’s seamless. These guys know IT and they know cyber security – they’re also the best I’ve come across. If you want the best, use Jamcyber for everything IT-related.
Uma D.
1640053418
Jimmy from JamCyber is extremely helpful. He is very pleasant, patient and always gets the job fixed quickly. Thank you!
PE Family L.
1640047896
Jam cyber has greatly assisted us with our cyber security and it has been a great pleasure working with them
Kelly D.
1639107821
Jimmy and the team at Jam Cyber are always helpful and easy to deal with.
Carole W.
1639102760
Always great doing business with Jimmy and the team at Jam Cyber.
Next-Generation Antivirus vs. Traditional Antivirus: what’s right for your business?
As cyber threats evolve, the way we counteract these threats must also advance. This article outlines the core differences between Next Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and traditional Antivirus (AV).
First Things First: What Is ‘Antivirus’?
Antivirus software is a type of program designed to prevent, search for, detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, and more. At its core, antivirus programs are the first line of defence, providing a basic level of protection against common types of malware that threaten computers and networks.
The primary function of antivirus software is to scan, identify, and manage the removal of malicious software from a computer. This process traditionally involves comparing the files and programs on a computer against a database of known types of malware and identifying suspicious behaviour that might indicate infection. Upon detection of malicious code, the antivirus software works to neutralise the threat, typically by quarantining or directly removing the offending files from the system.
Don’t All Computers Come with Inbuilt Antivirus?
Many modern computers do come with built-in antivirus solutions, providing a baseline level of security right out of the box. For instance, Windows operating systems include Windows Defender, a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware component that offers real-time protection against threats. Similarly, macOS has built-in security features designed to protect against malware and viruses, although it doesn’t include an explicitly named antivirus program.
However, while these inbuilt antivirus solutions provide essential protection and are beneficial for general use, they may not always offer the comprehensive coverage required to safeguard against the increasingly sophisticated and diverse range of cyber threats that businesses and advanced users face.
This built-in antivirus software is a form of ‘traditional antivirus’ as it focuses on basic threat detection and removal capabilities. These days, this basic protection may not be sufficient for specific needs, such as compliance with industry regulations, protection against targeted attacks, or advanced and zero-day viruses
Traditional Antivirus: The Known Approach
Traditional antivirus software, the foundation of digital defence for many years, primarily employs signature-based detection. This method relies on identifying malware through a database of known signatures. While this approach is effective against widespread, identified viruses, it faces challenges in detecting new, modified, or previously unseen malware.
Benefits of Traditional Antivirus:
Limitations of Traditional Antivirus:
Limited to Malware Detection: traditional antivirus often focuses narrowly on malware detection and removal, without offering additional layers of security, such as phishing protection, network attack defence, or encryption, which are increasingly necessary in today’s complex cyber threat landscape.
Next-Generation Antivirus: Advanced Security
Next-generation antivirus introduces an advanced framework for cyber security, utilising a mix of technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and behavioural analysis. Unlike traditional AV, NGAV does not solely depend on signature databases. Instead, it identifies threats based on their behaviour, offering protection against zero-day attacks, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats that might bypass traditional defences.
Comparative Advantages of NGAV
Adopting NGAV allows businesses to benefit from the latest security technologies, providing a stronger defence against modern cyber risks. This is particularly important as the sophistication of cyber attacks increases, making the limitations of traditional antivirus more apparent.
Is Next Generation Antivirus More Expensive?
At Jam Cyber, we understand the importance of cost-effective cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes. That’s why we’ve structured our NGAV offering to be as accessible as traditional antivirus solutions in terms of pricing. With Jam Cyber, businesses do not have to choose between advanced protection and affordability. Our NGAV solution is priced competitively with traditional AV products, ensuring businesses can benefit from state-of-the-art security technologies without exceeding their budget.
Should My Business Invest In NGAV?
When it comes to safeguarding your business, next-generation antivirus (NGAV) will give you more protection than traditional antivirus. NGAV offers a comprehensive approach, using advanced technologies like machine learning to pre-emptively tackle threats. This means better protection against a broader range of cyber risks, including zero-day attacks and complex malware.
To find out more about protecting your business, visit our product and pricing page or contact us via the form below.
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