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What is Security Software?
Security software, also called cybersecurity software, refers to any software that serves to protect a computer system, its applications, and its data. Most devices come with security software included in the operating system, but many businesses and individuals adopt additional security software applications to protect their devices and information from advanced security threats.
Types of Security Software
There are many types of security software on the market today. In general, these tools can be categorized according to their function: detecting access, preventing access, or monitoring access.
Detect access
The first line of defense in a security software arsenal are those that detect unusual behavior or suspicious activity. They are responsible for scanning an entire perimeter and recording all activity. That way, anything that appears out of the ordinary can be addressed as quickly as possible. Common detection tools include:
- Anti-malware: Prevents the download or installation of known or suspected viruses, spyware, trojan horses, and other undesirable files.
- Intrusion detection and prevention: Scans computer and network activities and analyzes events for signs of intrusion
- Log management: Stores and analyzes log files in a computer system
- Security information and event management: Detects and automatically responds to security breaches
Prevent access
The most common security tools are used to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to a computer system. These tools must be able to identify a credible threat and take measures to prevent the threat from advancing. Common preventative security software tools include:
- Firewall: Divides a private network from external networks, like the internet
- Risk management: Identifies, analyzes, and responds to security risk factors
- Predictive analytics: Studies large amounts of data and reveals trends around potential security risks
Monitor access
The innermost layer of security software applications consists of those that verify users’ identities and monitor their activity. These tools are responsible for ensuring that no authorized users have more access than they need and keeping a record of all actions a user takes. Common security monitoring tools include:
- Password managers: Stores and generates passwords for online accounts
- Identity and access management: Defines and manages the roles and access privileges of individual network users
- Zero trust: Authenticates and authorizes every user or device connecting to a network internally or externally before grinding them access to any data or application
Top Cybersecurity Software Recommendations
1 ESET PROTECT Advanced
Protect your company computers, laptops and mobile devices with security products all managed via a cloud-based management console. The solution includes cloud sandboxing technology, preventing zero-day threats, and full disk encryption capability for enhanced data protection. ESET Protect Advanced complies with data regulation thanks to full disk encryption capabilities on Windows and macOS. Get started today!
2 Heimdal Security
Heimdal Threat Prevention is an advanced DNS, HTTP, and HTTPS filtering product that adds prevention and threat hunting on top of traditional protection, detection, and response. It enriches any existing antivirus, going beyond signature-based recognition and spotting both known and unknown malware strains. Powered by proprietary technologies, the Heimdal DNS security product allows you to gain code-autonomous protection against multiple attack vectors.
3 Syxsense Secure
Stop breaches with one endpoint security solution. Syxsense Secure combines vulnerability scanning, patch management, and endpoint security in a single cloud console. Streamline complex IT processes with Syxsense Cortex, a visual workflow designer. Pre-built templates keep organizations secure without needing large teams and specialists. Get up and running quickly with an easy-to-use solution, free for 14 days.
4 ManageEngine Desktop Central
Using too many tools to manage and secure your IT? Desktop Central bundles different IT management and security tools in one unified view without cutting corners in end-user productivity and enterprise security. From keeping tabs on your enterprise devices, data, and apps to securing those endpoints against threats and attacks, Desktop Central ticks all the boxes of a unified endpoint management solution. Try it for free on unlimited endpoints for 30 days.
5 Dashlane
Dashlane Password Manager provides companies with everything they need to onboard new employees, manage permissions and monitor security issues all from one place. It also includes advanced features such as SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) and the company's security architecture has never been hacked. Try Dashlane Business for free for 14 days
This article was updated by Kaiti Norton.
