In short
Next-generation antivirus (NGAV) is endpoint protection that uses machine learning, behaviour monitoring and exploit prevention to stop known and unknown malware, ransomware and fileless attacks. Traditional antivirus relies mainly on signatures of known files. Most NGAV still uses signatures or reputation as one layer, and many products add ransomware rollback.
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What is next-generation antivirus?
Traditional antivirus compares files against a database of signatures: fingerprints of malware that has already been seen and analysed. It works well against known threats, but attackers can change a file slightly to get a new fingerprint, and many modern attacks use no malicious file at all, running scripts or abusing legitimate tools such as PowerShell.
Next-generation antivirus (NGAV) adds techniques that do not need a prior sighting of the exact threat:
- Machine learning models that judge whether a file is malicious from its characteristics before it runs.
- Behaviour monitoring that watches what processes do and stops patterns typical of attacks, such as a document spawning a script that downloads code.
- Exploit prevention that blocks the techniques attackers use to abuse flaws in browsers, Office and other applications.
- Ransomware protection that spots mass encryption and, in some products, restores files or rolls the device back.
- Cloud lookups that check files and URLs against the vendor's threat intelligence.
NGAV is the prevention core of what the industry calls an EPP (endpoint protection platform). Detection and response is a separate layer; see EPP vs EDR.
NGAV vs traditional antivirus
| Traditional antivirus | Next-generation antivirus | |
|---|---|---|
| Main technique | Signatures of known malware | Machine learning, behaviour monitoring, exploit prevention, plus signatures or reputation |
| Unknown and changed malware | Often missed until a signature is published | Designed to catch it from characteristics and behaviour |
| Fileless and script attacks | Limited | Behaviour monitoring and script controls |
| Ransomware | Detects known ransomware files | Detects encryption behaviour; some products restore files or roll back |
| Updates | Depends on frequent signature downloads | Less dependent on signature updates; on-device models plus cloud lookups |
| Management | Varies; often on-premises servers | Usually a cloud console |
The line is blurry in practice. Few vendors still sell a purely signature-based business product, and every product we supply combines several layers. When comparing, ask what each layer does and which are included in the edition you are buying.
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Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right option for your organisation, with a quote.
NGAV products from the vendors we supply
Each vendor uses its own names for its prevention technology. These are the official product and feature names from the vendors' own material:
| Vendor | NGAV product | How the vendor describes its prevention |
|---|---|---|
| CrowdStrike | Falcon Prevent | Next-gen antivirus on the single Falcon sensor, using machine learning and indicators of attack |
| SentinelOne | Singularity Control and Complete | Static AI examines files before they run; Behavioural AI watches processes; automated response and rollback |
| ThreatDown (Malwarebytes) | ThreatDown Endpoint Protection | Layered, AI-based prevention against malware, ransomware and exploits, with browser phishing protection |
| Sophos | Sophos Endpoint | Deep learning, exploit mitigation, CryptoGuard with rollback of encrypted files and Adaptive Attack Protection |
| Bitdefender | GravityZone | Layers including machine learning antimalware, Advanced Threat Control process monitoring, exploit defence and network attack defence |
| Trend Micro | TrendAI Vision One Endpoint Security Core | Anti-malware, firewall, device and application control, data loss prevention and intrusion prevention |
| WatchGuard | Endpoint Security Basic | Attack surface reduction, malware and ransomware protection, AI-based behavioural detection and automatic blocking and clean-up, managed in WatchGuard Cloud |
| Check Point | Check Point Endpoint Security | Anti-malware, anti-ransomware with file restoration, anti-exploit, anti-bot and behavioural detection, backed by ThreatCloud AI |
Each of them runs as a single agent that can be managed from a cloud console, and each offers detection and response on the same agent, either built in or as an upgrade.
How NGAV handles ransomware
Ransomware is where the differences between products are easiest to see, because vendors take different approaches once encryption starts:
| Approach | Example from the vendors we supply |
|---|---|
| Detect encryption behaviour and restore affected files | Sophos CryptoGuard rolls back files encrypted by ransomware; Check Point's anti-ransomware restores encrypted files |
| Roll the whole device back to a pre-attack state | SentinelOne rollback, on supported systems |
| Restore files from EDR-managed snapshots | ThreatDown EDR can restore files encrypted or deleted by ransomware up to seven days back |
| Recover from backup on the same agent | Acronis combines anti-malware with backup, so you can roll back attack-specific changes or restore from a clean backup in one console |
| Specialist anti-ransomware beside your NGAV | Halcyon aims to block ransomware before it runs and is designed to capture encryption keys so files can be recovered |
Some of these features sit in EDR editions or separate products rather than the entry NGAV tier, so check the edition. Our ransomware protection for business guide explains how the layers fit together.
Is Next-generation antivirus the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Does NGAV replace the need for anything else?
NGAV is designed to stop most everyday malware automatically, which is why it is the starting point for almost every organisation. It does not do everything:
- Investigation: NGAV blocks, but it does not keep the detailed history you need to work out how an attacker got in. That is EDR. See EPP vs EDR and our sister site's EDR, XDR and MDR guidance.
- Patching: exploit prevention reduces risk from unpatched software, but it is not a substitute for updating it.
- People: phishing that tricks someone into handing over a password involves no malware at all.
- Recovery: backup remains your last line against ransomware. See ransomware protection for business.
Layered protection is not about buying more products; it is about knowing which layer each product covers.
Choosing an NGAV product
When you compare NGAV products, focus on things you can check rather than marketing claims:
- Platforms: does it cover your Windows, Mac, Linux and server mix? See antivirus software for business for a coverage table.
- What is in the edition: device control, firewall management and web protection are not in every entry tier.
- Offline behaviour: on-device models keep protecting laptops away from the network.
- Upgrade path: can you add EDR or a managed service without changing agent?
- Licensing: per device or per user, servers separate or not. See business antivirus cost.
Forever Systems can shortlist products against your estate, arrange a trial where the vendor offers one, and deploy it for you. Contact us for a quote.
How Forever Systems helps with endpoint protection
We are an independent UK IT and cyber security provider. We supply business antivirus and endpoint protection from several vendors, so we can recommend what fits your devices, your team and your budget rather than pushing one product.
- Review what you have: we look at your current antivirus, your Microsoft licences and the devices you need to cover before suggesting anything new
- Compare the options: next-generation antivirus, EDR and managed services from vendors including CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, ThreatDown, Bitdefender, Trend Micro, Sophos, Check Point, WatchGuard and Acronis
- Licensing and quotes: the right edition and licence count for your Windows, Mac, Linux, server and mobile devices, with pricing confirmed at quote
- Deployment and migration: we can help roll out agents, set policies and remove the old product cleanly
- Support after go-live: help with policy tuning, alerts and renewals, with the scope agreed at quote
We can also help with the rest of your security, from endpoint security and EDR to Cyber Essentials and security awareness training.
Frequently asked questions
What is next gen antivirus?
Next-generation antivirus (NGAV) is endpoint protection that uses machine learning, behaviour monitoring and exploit prevention to stop known and unknown threats, including fileless and script-based attacks, rather than relying only on signatures of known malware.
Does NGAV still use signatures?
Often, yes, as one layer among several. Most next-generation products combine signatures or cloud reputation lookups with machine learning and behaviour monitoring. The difference is that they do not rely on signatures alone.
What is the difference between NGAV and traditional antivirus?
Traditional antivirus mainly matches files against signatures of known malware. NGAV adds machine learning, behaviour monitoring and exploit prevention, so it can stop new or modified malware and attacks that use no malicious file.
Is NGAV the same as EDR?
No. NGAV prevents threats from running. EDR records activity on each device so incidents can be investigated and contained. Many products combine both on one agent, often in different editions.
Which products are next-generation antivirus?
Examples from the vendors we supply include CrowdStrike Falcon Prevent, SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint, ThreatDown Endpoint Protection, Sophos Endpoint, Bitdefender GravityZone, Trend Micro Vision One Endpoint Security, WatchGuard Endpoint Security and Check Point Endpoint Security.
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