The short answer? Sometimes, but it's not something you should bet your entire cyber security strategy on. Relying on antivirus ransomware protection is like having home security cameras but leaving your doors unlocked, hoping cybercriminals won't try to find vulnerabilities. That said, it can help if other cybersecurity solutions are stacked on top.
In this guide, we will explore the use case for leveraging antivirus software for ransomware protection, its limitations, and the best way to use it in your cyber security strategy.
Antivirus solutions rely on one (or a combination) of methods to detect ransomware. These methods include:
Using signature-based detection, traditional antivirus (AV) solutions are leveraged to recognize known threats. And while some cybercriminals still dig some of their golden oldies, these bad actors are constantly tweaking their code to bypass AV defenses. Therefore, ransomware may only be detected after it has already run its malicious payload.
In other words, traditional AV is only really good for detecting yesterday's malware, which leaves those who solely depend on it vulnerable to new and emerging ransomware strains that haven't been blacklisted yet.
While modern AV solutions claim to offer protection, betting your network's security solely on them also poses a massive risk.
These solutions aren't totally useless, as they are suitable for ransomware detection and threat removal; however, by the time you get alerted, your device is likely already held hostage by ransomware.
While a multi-layered approach to defending against ransomware is best, if you’re betting the farm on antivirus, you'll want a solution that offers more than your standard, run-of-the-mill virus scanning. Look for features like:
That said, even AV’s good qualities still have blind spots and can leave you vulnerable to potential threats. AV has its place in the modern cybersecurity tech stack, but it should be just one tactic in a comprehensive security effort.
Using a multi-layered approach.
Thinking beyond AV is the only way to feel confident in your security posture. Don’t underestimate how crafty cybercriminals are. They have a wide variety of tactics for bypassing legacy defenses.
At a high level, here's how to stay ahead of ransomware:
The reality is, cyber criminals wielding ransomware don't just target businesses with deep pockets—they go after anyone with valuable data. And while antivirus tools have their place, they can't stand alone against modern cyber threats. That's where Huntress comes in.
Huntress' Managed EDR takes protection to the next level, offering real-time monitoring, deep forensic insights, and expert-led remediation to stop ransomware and other advanced threats before they take hold.
Don't settle for reactive security. Get proactive, expert-driven protection with Huntress.
Secure endpoints, email, and employees with the power of our 24/7 SOC. Try Huntress for free and deploy in minutes to start fighting threats.
Start Your Free Trial