What is the difference between an antivirus vs EDR?

Not all computer viruses warn you with a giant alert or a skull on the screen. Many sneak in silently, adapt and do their job without you noticing... until they've already done some damage. For years, the antivirus of a lifetime gave us a sense of security. But with the speed at which cyber-attacks are evolving, is it really still enough?

Today we work from anywhere, use more devices than ever before and access corporate networks from outside the office all the time. All this has completely blurred the old concept of the “secure perimeter”. Now, endpoint security (i.e., every device that connects to the network) has become a key part of any cybersecurity strategy.

That's where two types of solutions come into play: the classic antivirus (AV) and the more modern endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems. Both are designed to protect your devices, but they do so in very different ways. And understanding that difference can be what helps you prevent a simple alert... or a full-blown digital disaster.

What is an antivirus?

A traditional antivirus is a computer security tool designed to detect, block and remove malicious programs (malware), such as viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware and adware. This technology has been the foundation of cybersecurity for home and business users for decades.

How does an antivirus work?

Antivirus works mainly through:

1. Signature databases: It compares system files against a database of “signatures” of known malware. If it detects a match, it blocks or removes it.

2. Heuristic analysis: Attempts to identify suspicious behavior that could indicate the presence of a new virus, even if it is not in the database.

3. Scheduled or on-demand scans: Allows the system to be scanned for threats at the user's convenience or at scheduled times.

Advantages of antivirus

1. Easy to install and use.

2. Low resource consumption.

3. Effective against known threats.

Antivirus limitations

1. Does not easily detect new or unknown threats (zero-day).

2. Relies too much on the signature database.

3. Does not provide full visibility of system behavior.

4. Does not respond proactively to ongoing attacks.

Read more: The Pace of Cyberattacks: 1 Every 14 Seconds, a New Record

What is an EDR solution for?

EDR is an advanced security technology that continuously monitors, detects and responds to threats on endpoints such as computers, laptops and servers.

Unlike traditional antivirus, which acts primarily preventively, EDR focuses on active detection and rapid response to suspicious behavior, even if it is not in a signature database.

How does EDR work?

EDR solutions work by:

1. Constant endpoint monitoring: They record and analyze all activity occurring on the system, such as processes, network connections, file changes, among others.

2. Behavior-based detection: They use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to identify anomalous activities.

3. Automated response: They can isolate an infected device, stop malicious processes or delete harmful files automatically.

4. Forensic analysis: They allow tracing the origin of the attack, its evolution and impact on the system.

Advantages of EDR

1. Total visibility of what is happening on each endpoint.

2. Detects advanced threats, fileless attacks, APTs and unknown malware.

3. Immediate and automated response capability.

4. Improved analysis and decision making by the security team.

Limitations of EDR

1. Increased complexity in implementation and management.

2. Requires more system resources.

3. May generate false positives if not properly configured.

6 Key differences between antivirus and EDR

Although both (AV and EDR) are designed to protect endpoints, they do so in quite different ways. Here we explain the main differences:

1. Security approach: reactive vs. proactive

The classic antivirus waits for something unusual to happen before reacting. It detects a known threat, blocks it and that's it. It is like having an alarm that sounds only when you are already being burglarized.

EDR, on the other hand, is more like a guard on constant patrol. It not only detects when something has already entered, but also anticipates suspicious behavior, even if the malicious software has never been seen before. Thus, it can stop new or advanced threats before they make a mess.

2. Scope: limited vs. full coverage

An AV acts in isolation on each device where it is installed. It has a limited range and works as a point defense. 
EDR, on the other hand, works centrally: it monitors all devices connected to a company's network from a single control panel. This overall visibility allows it to detect suspicious movements that would go unnoticed if we looked at each endpoint separately. In short: AV is a flashlight, EDR is a surveillance camera with a panoramic view.

3. How they detect threats

Antivirus software relies on lists of “signatures” or known virus patterns. When they detect a match, they act. But if the malware is new or uses a technique that has never been seen before... it passes them by.

EDRs are smarter. They use behavioral analysis to identify odd activity: for example, if a program tries to access sensitive files for no reason, or if someone executes strange commands from a PowerShell. They can detect both known threats and completely new things.

4. Automation and visibility

This is where EDR really shines. It collects real-time data on everything that happens on devices, analyzes it with artificial intelligence, and generates actionable alerts for security teams. The best part? It can make automatic decisions: like isolating a compromised computer or blocking dangerous processes without anyone having to intervene on the spot.

The antivirus can also act automatically, but always within its limits: if it has not registered the threat, it will not see it. And if it sees something strange but does not know what it is, it will probably do nothing.

5. How they respond to a threat

The AV acts when it detects something that has already entered the system. It usually blocks the file, removes it and cleans up any traces it has left behind. It is fast, but very specific.

EDR, in addition to detecting and blocking, can also automatically isolate the affected device so that the threat does not spread across the network. This gives the security team time to analyze what happened, what impact it had and how to recover the system. It's like stopping the fire and then investigating what caused it, all in parallel.

6. Response time and adaptability

Both can act quickly, but with important differences. The antivirus reacts almost instantly... if the threat is already in its database. If not, it is not even aware of it.

EDR can detect much more complex and sophisticated attacks, even those that do not have a file as such (the famous fileless attacks). Moreover, the better it is configured and the more automated it is, the less reliant it is on human work to provide a rapid response. Some solutions even automatically classify suspicious files and decide what to do, while others require an analyst to review each alert. The ideal is to have a system that strikes a balance: one that responds quickly, but without filling you with false positives.

So which is better: antivirus or EDR?

Today, traditional antivirus systems are no longer sufficient to stop many modern threats. These systems still work with databases of known signatures, leaving them defenseless against more sophisticated attacks, such as fileless malware, which can easily evade classic detection.

Key to dealing with these advanced threats are tools such as EDR, which provide real-time visibility, analyze device behavior and automatically respond to suspicious activity. This not only improves the effectiveness of protection, but also optimizes the work of security teams.

Still, the choice between antivirus or EDR depends on the context. For small companies or those with limited resources, a good new-generation antivirus may be sufficient. But if there are many devices at stake, especially in remote environments, and a more robust defense is needed, EDR is clearly the more complete option.

Using a solution like TecnetProtect offers complete endpoint protection, combining prevention, detection, containment and automated response to known and advanced threats. Its ability to act in real time allows attacks to be stopped before they cause damage, which significantly improves effectiveness against modern threats.

In addition, because it is integrated into a unified cloud platform, TecnetProtect centralizes all security management in a single console, simplifying administration and improving visibility. This solution is part of a broader ecosystem that also includes backup, disaster recovery and ransomware defense, helping to reduce costs and optimize the work of the IT team without compromising protection.