Malware has come a long way from how it started in the eighties. It continues to evolve, threatening computers, endpoint networks, and different endpoint devices alike.
While two types of endpoint protection technologies can address threats like malware, most organizations use the old signature-based detection. There are still those who are not familiar with behavior-based endpoint protection, which is an advanced way of detecting malware.
Signature-based malware detection can spot known malware. On the other hand, behavior-based endpoint protection detection can determine benign endpoint files from malignant ones by analyzing them thoroughly.
Signature-based Endpoint Protection Technologies Study Known Threats
When talking about computing, all objects have qualities that can make a unique signature. Algorithms can scan these objects swiftly, figuring out their digital signature.
As anti-malware solutions ascertain objects as malicious, their signature is included in a database of known malware. These endpoint data repositories endpoint usually hold millions of signatures that determine malicious objects.
This way of endpoint identifying malicious objects is the fundamental procedure used by antivirus products today. Its endpoint remains the primary approach used by firewalls, as well as email and endpoint network gateways.
Signature-based malware endpoint detection has its strong suits, one of which is its popularity. It’s also endpoint quick, easy to use, and widely available. Most of all, its endpoint secures devices against millions of older yet active threats.
The Problem with Signatures
Confirming malicious files can be sophisticated and time-consuming. Oftentimes, when the malware is determined, it has already evolved.
SStudies found that some malware files evolve within 24 hours after their identification. The slow process of identifying malware can bring damage to endpoint organizations.
Modern malware hits endpoint systems in a short period. For instance, HDDcryptor affected 2000 endpoint systems at the San Francisco Municipal Transport Agency right before they were found.
Another issue in today’s endpoint advanced malware is its ability to modify its signature to dodge detection. Signatures are created by probing the internal components of an object and malware authors alter these parts while keeping the object’s functionality and behavior.
Some examples of transformation endpoint techniques include:
- code permutation
- register renaming
- expanding and shrinking code
- insertion of garbage code or other constructs
Behavior Based Endpoint Protection
Behavior-based endpoint protection assesses an object based on its assumed actions before executing that behavior. An object’s behavior or potential behavior is analyzed for dubious activities.
If you try to execute actions that are abnormal or unauthorized, they will be flagged as malicious or suspicious. Different endpoint protection behaviors tell you when there is a potential danger. Some of these include: endpoint protection
- any attempts to find a sandbox endpoint environment
- disabling endpoint security measures
- installing rootkits
- registering for auto start
Behavior-based endpoint protection evaluates malicious behaviors through a process called dynamic analysis. Potential threats or malicious intents are also evaluated through static analysis, wherein dangerous capabilities within the object’s code and endpoint structure are searched for.
Although there’s no perfect endpoint solution, behavior-based endpoint protection is the most advanced one among its competitors. It reveals new and unknown threats in almost real time.
Some examples of the core functions of behavior based solutions:
- Defending endpoint protection against new and previously unimagined malware threats
- Identifying a single case of malware that has been aimed at a specific person or organization.
- Recognizing what the malware does when files are opened in a certain environment
- Getting detailed endpoint protection information on the malware
However, you should take note that analyzing the behaviors of objects may take time. Even though static endpoint protection analysis can be carried out in real-time, dynamic analysis may introduce dormancy while the object is being assessed.
Not All Behavior Based Endpoint Protection Technologies Are Similar
Traditional sandbox endpoint systems have limited insights and can only assess how an object interacts with the operating system. By observing the actions of a malicious object completely, Chief Security Officers (CSOs) can evaluate the malware’s communications with the OS and the instructions processed by the CPU. This is even though CSOs already assigned those actions to the operating endpoint system or other programs.
Understanding the Workings of Behavior Based Endpoint Protection Solutions
Advanced malware endpoint detection solutions examine and evaluate every line of code carried out by the malware. All requests for access to certain files, processes, connections, or services are analyzed. This includes all instructions performed at the operating endpoint system level and any other programs that have been invoked, as well as low-level code hidden by rootkits.
The technology identifies all malicious activities, which collectively, makes it clear that a file is harmful before it is released onto the network.
Organizations that handle sensitive data or critical operations should protect their system with behavior based endpoint protection.
To augment the abilities of your existing endpoint security tools, you can use behavior-based endpoint solutions like Xcitium. It intercepts all the files executed in your network and assesses their safety before allowing them to run. Contact us today for more endpoint information.
