deepthi sRansomware continues to drain billions from companies every year, and the cost is only growing.
According to reports, ransomware damage costs could reach $265 billion by 2031, a tenfold increase from 2021.
You can be a startup or an enterprise but all it takes is just one careless click or an outdated endpoint defence to trigger a major breach.
This article explores whether old antivirus tools are enough to stop ransomware and which modern security layers offer real protection against today’s threats.
Why Businesses Choose Mitigata for Strengthening Cybersecurity Defence
Mitigata stands as India’s trusted cyber resilience company, securing 800+ businesses across 25+ industries. Our unified approach blends advanced technology, intelligent automation, and expert monitoring for businesses.
Why 800+ Companies Rely on Mitigata
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- Free Demo: Test our security services before you decide.
- Trusted by 800+ Businesses: Be part of a strong network of organisations that prioritise resilience.
- Affordable Security: Enterprise-grade protection at transparent, cost-effective pricing.
- Round-the-Clock Support: Our dedicated experts monitor, guide, and assist 24/7.
- Seamless Integration: Works effortlessly with your existing infrastructure.
- End-to-End Service: From deployment to continuous monitoring and improvement, Mitigata manages it all.
Can Anti-Virus Help with Ransomware?
Yes, Typical antivirus solutions can detect and block known ransomware strains by matching file signatures or signature patterns previously flagged in previous versions. Researchers also warn that typical signature-based detection often misses newer, modified, or fileless ransomware variants.
Antivirus is a first line of defence, but only one component in a broader strategy. It offers protection only against well-known exploits. However, modern ransomware often bypasses antivirus protections by exploiting human error and organisational vulnerabilities.
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How Antivirus Detects Ransomware
Antivirus software detects, treats, and sometimes removes malicious code from files, folders, and processes by scanning either remotely or on a personally-controlled device. There are generally three common detection methods to do this:
Signature-based detection: Compares files to a general database of known malware by file signature.
Heuristic detection: Uses past infections to develop a suspicious pattern.
Real-time Monitoring: Monitors file folders and process space for harmful activity such as unauthorised changes or deletions of certain files.
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Importance of EDR, XDR, and MDR
In the current timeframes, modern ransomware prevention requires detecting behavioural anomalies before the device is encrypted. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) systems can monitor endpoint activity as it occurs, then isolate the devices if necessary, and automatically roll back to a point before the malicious encryption took place.
In simple terms:
EDR: Monitors process behaviour, logs anomalies, and supports rapid containment.
XDR: Correlates signals across endpoints, networks, and cloud apps.
MDR: Combines EDR/XDR with a human supervising activities 24/7, and incident response occurs.
This level of detection and prevention enables the enterprise to detect ransomware-like behaviour with little to no signature, giving it a chance to protect itself before vast amounts of data are encrypted.
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Understanding Antivirus vs. EDR vs. MDR
Here’s how traditional antivirus defence stacks up against the tactics used by modern ransomware.
| Feature | Antivirus | EDR | MDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Detection | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Behavioural Analysis | Limited | Advanced | Advanced |
| Real-Time Response | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Threat Hunting | ❌ | Partial | Full |
| Rollback Capability | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| 24/7 Monitoring | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Human Expertise | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Ideal For | Small businesses | Mid-size teams | Enterprises |
Want to know which of EDR, XDR, or MDR best suits your business? Read this
Layered Protection Checklist for Ransomware Defence
A robust protection against ransomware is not a single tool but a combination of several security layers working together. The checklist identifies the main controls that every organisation must have to lower exposure, minimise damage, and respond to active attacks quickly.
- Centrally managed Antivirus and EDR/XDR
- Patching of operating systems and 3rd party applications is accounted for.
- Email security filters that stop phishing payloads from reaching inboxes.
- Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all accounts.
- Offline and immutable backups for recovery.
- Network segmentation to avoid the rapid spread of ransomware (e.g., by department).
- Control access by using least privilege.
- Have an incident response plan.
Each layer strengthens the others. For instance, an antivirus might block known ransomware,
EDR stops unknown variants, and backups provide business continuity even if an attack succeeds.
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Conclsuion
Antivirus software can still provide valuable protection against known ransomware variants, but should never just be your only defence. Businesses need EDR or MDR to detect unknown threats; offline backups to recover systems, and trained teams to defend rapidly!
Don’t stop at antivirus protection. Strengthen your defence with Mitigata’s unified EDR and MDR solutions. Get Your Free Demo Today.
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